Heated or cooled dishware and drinkware and food containers

ABSTRACT

An actively heated or cooled food container can have a lid movable between an open and a closed position and an insulated body to which the lid can be attached. The insulated body can have a sidewall that defines a perimeter of the container body and a base, the sidewall and base defining one or more chambers that can be sealed by the lid. The food container can have a temperature control system that can include one or more heating or cooling elements in thermal communication with one or both of the sidewall and the base and operable to heat or cool one or both of the sidewall and the base to thereby heat or cool the one or more chambers in the food container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/712,813, filed May 14, 2015, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No.14/312,366, filed Jun. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,035,222, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No.14/144,283, filed Dec. 30, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,759,721, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No.13/830,934, filed Mar. 14, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,618,448, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/287,967, filed Nov.2, 2011, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional App. No. 61/409,493, filed Nov. 2, 2010, the entire contentsof all of which is hereby incorporated by reference and should beconsidered a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND

Field

The invention is directed to dishware and drinkware and food containers,such as plates, mugs, soup containers and lunch boxes, and moreparticularly to actively heated or cooled dishware and drinkware andfood containers.

Description of the Related Art

Dishware (e.g., plates, bowls), serverware (e.g., platters, servingdishes, hot plates) and drinkware (e.g., cups, mugs, travel mugs, liquidcontainers, baby bottles, drinking bottles) are sometimes made ofceramic materials. Plates are sometimes heated by placing into an oven,so that the food on the plate can be maintained warm for a longer timethan if the plate was not heated. For example, in some restaurants,plates will be heated prior to food being placed thereon, orsimultaneously with the food (e.g., a steak) thereon. For example, aplate holding a steak can be placed into an oven to cook the steak, andonce removed the plate maintains the food warm for a while. In someinstances, a plate or bowl might also be chilled to maintain foodthereon cold for a longer period of time (e.g., salad, gazpacho) than ifthe plate was not chilled. However, such heating and cooling mechanismsare passive mechanisms that rely on the release of heat, in the case ofa heated plate, or the absorption of heat, in the case of a chilledplate, by the plate based on the heat transfer properties of the ceramicmaterial.

However, technology for actively heating, or cooling, dishwasher safedishware or drinkware or food containers is not readily available.Accordingly, there is a need for dishware (e.g., plates, bowls),serverware (e.g., platters, serving dishes, hot plates), drinkware(e.g., cups, mugs, travel mugs, liquid containers, baby bottles,drinking bottles) and food containers (e.g. lunch boxes, soupcontainers) that can be actively heated or cooled during use.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, an actively heated mug or travel mugis provided. The actively heated mug or travel mug comprises a bodyhaving a receiving portion for receiving and holding a liquid and aheating system. The heating system comprises one or more heatingelements configured to heat one or more surfaces of the receivingportion of the body, one or more power storage elements, and a wirelesspower receiver configured to wirelessly receive power from a powersource. The heating system further comprises control circuitryelectrically connected to the wireless power receiver, the controlcircuitry configured to charge the one or more power storage elementsand to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more powerstorage elements to the one or more heating elements. The heating systemfurther comprises one or more sensors configured to sense a parameter ofthe liquid and/or sense a parameter of the heating system andcommunicate said sensed parameter information to the control circuitry.The control circuitry is configured to turn on, turn off, and/or operatethe one or more heating elements at a given power setting based at leastin part on the sensed parameter information.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated mug or travelmug is provided. The actively heated mug or travel mug comprises a bodyhaving a receiving portion for receiving and holding a liquid, the bodyhaving a vacuum insulated chamber configured to reduce the rate in whichheat energy exits the mug or travel mug, and a heating system. Theheating system comprises one or more heating elements configured to heatone or more surfaces of the receiving portion of the body, one or morepower storage elements, and a wireless power receiver configured towirelessly receive power from a power source. The heating system furthercomprises control circuitry electrically connected to the wireless powerreceiver, the control circuitry configured to charge one or more powerstorage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the oneor more power storage elements to the one or more heating elements.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated mug or travelmug is provided. The actively heated mug or travel mug comprises a bodyhaving a receiving portion for receiving and holding a liquid, and aheating system. The heating system comprises one or more heatingelements configured to heat one or more surfaces of the receivingportion of the body, one or more heating elements configured to heat oneor more surfaces of the receiving portion of the body, and controlcircuitry electrically connected to the wireless power receiver, thecontrol circuitry configured to charge one or more power storageelements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or morepower storage elements to the one or more heating elements. The activelyheated mug or travel mug further comprises a user interface on a surfaceof the body, the user interface being electrically connected to thecontrol circuitry and having one or more user actuatable controls toprovide operating instructions to the control circuitry. The controlcircuitry is configured to operate the one or more heating elements toactively heat at least a portion of the body to maintain the liquid in aheated state generally at a user selected temperature setting based atleast in part on said instructions.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated mug or travelmug is provided. The actively heated mug or travel mug comprises a bodyhaving a receiving portion for receiving and holding a liquid, and aheating system. The heating system comprises one or more heatingelements configured to heat one or more surfaces of the receivingportion of the body, one or more power storage elements, a wirelesspower receiver configured to wirelessly receive power from a powersource, and control circuitry electrically connected to the wirelesspower receiver, the control circuitry configured to charge one or morepower storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity fromthe one or more power storage elements to the one or more heatingelements. The heating system further comprises a wireless transmitter orreceiver and/or transceiver configured to establish a communicationconnection with a remote device or mobile electronic device.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer is provided comprising a body having a receiving portion forreceiving and holding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. Theheating or cooling system comprises one or more heating or coolingelements configured to actively heat or cool at least a portion of thereceiving portion of the body, control circuitry configured to controlthe operation of the one or more heating or cooling elements, and one ormore liquid level sensors configured to sense a liquid level in thereceiving portion and to communicate the sensed liquid level to thecontrol circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to operate eachof the one or more heating or cooling elements independently of eachother based at least in part on the sensed liquid level, such that thecontrol circuitry can turn off or turn on or reduce power to or increasepower to at least one of the one or more heating or cooling elementsbased at least in part on the sensed liquid level. In a further aspect,where the one or more heating or cooling elements are one or morethermoelectric elements, the control circuitry can reverse polarity toat least one of the one or more thermoelectric elements.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer is provided comprising a body having a receiving portion forreceiving and holding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. Theheating or cooling system comprises one or more heating or coolingelements configured to actively heat or cool at least a portion of thereceiving portion of the body, and control circuitry configured tocontrol the operation of the one or more heating or cooling elements.The control of or location of the one or more heating or coolingelements is configured to induce a circulation of liquid within thereceiving portion of the body to maintain substantially uniform liquidtemperature within the volume of liquid in the receiving portion.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer is provided comprising a body having a receiving portion forreceiving and holding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. Theheating or cooling system comprises one or more heating or coolingelements configured to actively heat or cool at least a portion of thereceiving portion of the body, one or more power storage elements, awireless power receiver configured to wirelessly receiver power from apower source, control circuitry electrically connected to the wirelesspower receiver, the control circuitry configured to control the chargingof the one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery ofelectricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one ormore heating or cooling elements to maintain a temperature of the liquidat a predetermined drinking temperature or within a predetermineddrinking temperature range, and one or more ultrasound liquid sensorsconfigured to sense a level of the liquid in the receiving portion via achange in frequency and to communicate said sensed level information tothe control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to operatethe one or more heating or cooling elements to actively heat or cool atleast a portion of the receiving portion of the body to maintain thetemperature of the liquid generally at a user selected or factory presetdrinking temperature setting based at least in part on the sensed liquidlevel.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer is provided comprising a body having a receiving portion forreceiving and holding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. Theheating or cooling system comprises one or more heating or coolingelements configured to actively heat or cool at least a portion of thereceiving portion of the body, one or more power storage elements, andcontrol circuitry configured to control the charging of the one or morepower storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity fromthe one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating orcooling elements to maintain a temperature of the liquid at apredetermined drinking temperature or within a predetermined drinkingtemperature range. A wireless transmitter or receiver and/or transceiveris configured to establish a communication connection with a remotedevice or mobile electronic device, the transceiver configured totransmit operation information to the remote device or mobile electronicdevice as well as to receive instructions from the remote device ormobile electronic device. A display screen is on a surface of the body,the display screen being electrically connected to the controlcircuitry.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer is provided comprising a body having a receiving portion forreceiving and holding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. Theheating or cooling system comprises one or more heating or coolingelements configured to actively heat or cool at least a portion of thereceiving portion of the body, one or more temperature sensorsconfigured to sense a temperature of the liquid in the receivingportion, and control circuitry configured to communicate with the one ormore temperature sensors and to control the operation of the one or moreheating or cooling elements based at least in part on the sensedtemperature. A wireless transmitter or transceiver configured toestablish a communication connection with a remote mobile phone ortablet computer, wherein the transmitter or transceiver is configured totransmit sensed temperature information or information related to sensedtemperature information to the mobile phone or tablet computer todisplay said sensed temperature information on the mobile phone ortablet computer.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer is provided comprising a body having a receiving portion forreceiving and holding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. Theheating or cooling system comprises one or more heating or coolingelements configured to actively heat or cool at least a portion of thereceiving portion of the body, one or more temperature sensorsconfigured to sense a temperature of the liquid in the receivingportion, and control circuitry configured to communicate with the one ormore temperature sensors and to control the operation of the one or moreheating or cooling elements based at least in part on the sensedtemperature. A wireless transmitter or transceiver configured toestablish a communication connection with a remote mobile phone ortablet computer. A display screen or indicator lights are on a surfaceof the body, the display screen or indicator lights being electricallyconnected to the control circuitry and configured to display the sensedtemperature information or display a message and/or visual indicationrelated to the sensed temperature information. The transmitter ortransceiver is configured to transmit sensed temperature information orinformation related to sensed temperature information to the mobilephone or tablet computer to display said sensed temperature informationor a message and/or notification related to the sensed temperature onthe mobile phone or tablet computer.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer is provided comprising a body having a receiving portion forreceiving and holding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. Theheating or cooling system comprises one or more heating or coolingelements configured to actively heat or cool at least a portion of thereceiving portion of the body, one or more temperature sensorsconfigured to sense a temperature of the liquid in the receivingportion, and control circuitry configured to communicate with the one ormore temperature sensors and to control the operation of the one or moreheating or cooling elements based at least in part on the sensedtemperature. A wireless receiver or transceiver is configured toestablish a communication connection with a remote mobile phone ortablet computer, wherein the receiver or transceiver is configured toreceive operating instructions from the remote mobile phone or tabletcomputer, the control circuitry configured to control the operation ofthe one or more heating or cooling elements at least in part based onsaid received operating instructions from the mobile phone or tabletcomputer.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer is provided comprising a body having a receiving portion forreceiving and holding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. Theheating or cooling system comprises one or more heating or coolingelements configured to actively heat or cool at least a portion of thereceiving portion of the body, and one or more liquid level sensorsconfigured to sense a liquid level in the receiving portion. A wirelesstransmitter or transceiver is configured to establish a communicationconnection with a remote mobile phone or tablet computer, wherein thetransmitter or transceiver is configured to transmit sensed liquid levelinformation to the mobile phone or tablet computer to display saidliquid level information on the mobile phone or tablet computer.

In accordance with one aspect, an actively heated or cooled portablecontainer is provided. The container comprises a portable body having areceiving portion defined by an inner sidewall and inner bottom wall forreceiving and holding a liquid, and a heating and cooling system housedin the portable body. The heating and cooling system comprises a coolingelement comprising a phase change material disposed in a chamber thatsurrounds at least a portion of the inner sidewall so that the phasechange material is in thermal communication with at least a portion ofthe inner sidewall of the portable body, the phase change materialconfigured to transition from one phase to a second phase at apredetermined temperature. The heating and cooling system also comprisesa heating element in thermal communication with at least a portion ofthe inner sidewall or inner bottom wall of the portable body. Theheating and cooling system also comprises control circuitry disposed ina portion of the portable body, the control circuitry configured tocontrol the operation of the heating element. The heating and coolingsystem also comprises one or more power storage elements disposed inanother portion of the portable body and configured to provideelectrical energy to one or both of the heating element and controlcircuitry. The cooling element removes heat from a liquid disposed inthe receiving portion that has a temperature above the predeterminedtemperature to lower the temperature of the liquid toward thepredetermined temperature, and the control circuitry controls theheating element to add heat to the liquid in the receiving portion tomaintain the temperature of the liquid at said predetermined temperatureor increase the temperature of the liquid above said predeterminedtemperature.

In accordance with another aspect, an actively heated or cooled portablecontainer is provided. The container comprises a portable body having areceiving portion defined by an inner sidewall and inner bottom wall forreceiving and holding a liquid, and a heating and cooling system housedin the portable body. The heating and cooling system comprises means forpassively cooling at least a portion of the inner sidewall of theportable body to remove heat from a liquid in the receiving portion ofthe portable body, a heating element in thermal communication with atleast a portion of the inner sidewall or inner bottom wall of theportable body, control circuitry disposed in a portion of the portablebody, the control circuitry configured to control the operation of theheating element, and one or more power storage elements disposed inanother portion of the portable body and configured to provideelectrical energy to one or both of the heating element and controlcircuitry. The control circuitry controls the heating element to addheat to the liquid in the receiving portion to maintain the temperatureof the liquid at a predetermined temperature or increase the temperatureof the liquid above said predetermined temperature.

In accordance with another aspect, an actively heated or cooled portablecontainer is provided. The container comprises a portable body having areceiving portion defined by an inner sidewall and inner bottom wall forreceiving and holding a liquid and an outer sidewall radially spacedapart from the inner sidewall to define an annular chamber therebetween.The container also comprises a heating and cooling system housed in theportable body, comprising a cooling element comprising a heat sinkdisposed in the annular chamber that is in thermal communication with atleast a portion of the inner sidewall of the portable body, a heatingelement in thermal communication with at least a portion of the innersidewall or inner bottom wall of the portable body, control circuitrydisposed in a portion of the portable body, the control circuitryconfigured to control the operation of the heating element, and one ormore power storage elements disposed in another portion of the portablebody and configured to provide electrical energy to one or both of theheating element and control circuitry. The cooling element removes heatfrom a liquid disposed in the receiving portion, and wherein the controlcircuitry controls the heating element to add heat to the liquid in thereceiving portion to maintain the temperature of the liquid at apredetermined temperature or increase the temperature of the liquidabove said predetermined temperature.

In accordance with another aspect, an actively heated container isprovided, comprising a portable body having a receiving portion definedby an inner sidewall and inner bottom wall for receiving and holding aliquid and an outer sidewall radially spaced apart from the innersidewall to define an annular chamber therebetween. The container alsocomprises an active heating system, comprising one or more heatingelements in thermal communication with at least a portion of the innersidewall or inner bottom wall of the portable body, control circuitrydisposed in a portion of the portable body, the control circuitryconfigured to control the operation of the one or more heating elements,and one or more power storage elements disposed in another portion ofthe portable body and configured to provide electrical energy to one orboth of the control circuitry and the one or more heating elements. Thecontrol circuitry is configured to calculate a volume of the liquid inthe receiving portion of the portable body based on sensed informationindicative of a temperature of the liquid in the receiving portion.

In accordance with one aspect, a heated or cooled food container isprovided. The food container comprises a lid movable between an open anda closed position, and an insulated body having a sidewall that definesa perimeter of the body and a base, the sidewall and base defining achamber configured to be sealed by the lid when in the closed position.The food container also comprises a temperature control system with oneor more heating or cooling elements disposed in the container configuredto heat or cool at least a portion of the chamber.

In accordance with another aspect, an actively heated or cooled foodcontainer is provided. The food container comprises a lid movablebetween an open and a closed position and an insulated body having asidewall that defines a perimeter of the body and a base, the sidewalland base defining a chamber configured to be sealed by the lid when inthe closed position. The food container also comprises an activetemperature control system that comprises one or more heating or coolingelements in thermal communication with one or both of the sidewall andthe base and configured to heat or cool one or both of the sidewall andthe base, one or more power storage elements configured to provide powerto the one or more heating or cooling elements, and control circuitryconfigured to control the operation of the one or more heating orcooling elements. The active temperature control system also comprises awireless communication module configured to communicate with a remoteelectronic device to one or both of transmit information to the remoteelectronic device and receive information from the remote electronicdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of aheated or cooled plate.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the heated or cooled plate ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the heated or cooledplate of FIG. 1 and a charging base for the plate.

FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective bottom view of another embodiment ofa heated or cooled plate that is similar to the plate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective top view of the heated or cooledplate of FIG. 3A and a charging base for the plate.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a charging stand for storingmultiple heated or cooled plates, and a plurality of heated or cooledplates stored on the stand.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the charging stand of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective top view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of aheated or cooled mug and its charging base.

FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded view of the heated or cooled mug in FIG.8

FIG. 9A is a schematic exploded view of another embodiment of a heatedor cooled mug.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of oneembodiment of a heated or cooled travel mug.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the heated or cooledtravel mug of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the heated or cooled travelmug of FIG. 10 and its associated charging base.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of a heated or cooled travel mug.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of a heated or cooled travel mug.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the heated or cooled travelmug of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a wand foruse with a heated or cooled plate, bowl, serving dish, mug, cup, travelmug, water bottle or liquid container.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a chargingstation for use with one or more plates, bowls or serving dishes.

FIG. 22 is a schematic front view of the charging station in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of the charging station of FIG.21 holding a plurality of plates, bowls or serving dishes.

FIG. 24A is a schematic perspective view of the charting station of FIG.23 with one of the plates, bowls or serving dishes shown dismounted fromthe charging station.

FIG. 24B is a schematic view of another embodiment of a charging stationwith a resonant coupling wireless power transmitter.

FIG. 24C is a schematic view of another embodiment of a chargingstation.

FIG. 25 is a schematic exploded view of one embodiment of a heated orcooled plate.

FIG. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional assembled view of the heated orcooled plate of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a schematic perspective exploded view of another embodimentof a heated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 28 is a schematic bottom perspective exploded view of the heated orcooled plate, bowl or serving dish of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a schematic perspective exploded view of another embodimentof a heated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 30 is a schematic bottom perspective exploded view of the heated orcooled plate, bowl or serving dish of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a schematic exploded view of one embodiment of a heated orcooled baby bottle liquid container.

FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional assembled view of the heated orcooled baby bottle of FIG. 31.

FIG. 32A is a schematic cross-sectional assembled view of anotherembodiment of a heated or cooled baby bottle.

FIG. 33 is a box diagram of one method of operating a heated or cooledplate, bowl, serving dish, mug, cup, travel mug, water bottle or liquidcontainer.

FIG. 34A is a schematic diagram showing counterclockwise circulation ofliquid flow induced by a heating or cooling system in a cup, mug, travelmug, water bottle or liquid container.

FIG. 34B is a schematic diagram showing clockwise circulation of liquidflow induced by a heating or cooling system in a cup, mug, travel mug,water bottle or liquid container.

FIG. 34C is a schematic diagram showing counterclockwise circulation ofliquid flow induced by a heating or cooling system in a cup, mug, travelmug or liquid container, where operation (e.g., turning off, on) of oneor more heating and cooling elements depends at least in part on sensedliquid level.

FIG. 34D is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of achilled drinkware unit, such as a beer mug.

FIG. 34E shows a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of aliquid container with one or more heating or cooling elements.

FIG. 34F shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofa liquid container with one or more heating or cooling elements.

FIG. 34G shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofa liquid container with one or more heating or cooling elements.

FIG. 34H shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofa liquid container with one or more heating or cooling elements.

FIG. 34I shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofa liquid container with one or more heating or cooling elements.

FIG. 34J shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofa liquid container with one or more heating or cooling elements.

FIG. 34K shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid containerof FIG. 34G operating in heating mode.

FIG. 34L shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofa liquid container with one or more heating or cooling elements.

FIG. 34M shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid containerof FIG. 34J operating in cooling mode.

FIG. 35 is a schematic view of a user interface on a travel mugdepicting weather information.

FIG. 36 is a schematic view of a user interface on a travel mugdepicting the temperature of the liquid in the travel mug.

FIG. 37 is a schematic view showing communication between a travel mugand an electronic device (e.g., mobile phone).

FIG. 37A is a schematic view showing communication between a mug and anelectronic device (e.g., mobile phone).

FIG. 38A shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a travel mug placedthereon.

FIG. 38B shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a mug placed thereon.

FIG. 38C shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a bowl placed thereon.

FIG. 38D shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a plate placed thereon.

FIG. 38E shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a beer mug placedthereon.

FIG. 38F shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a baby bottle placedthereon.

FIG. 38G-H shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in acoffee or tea making machine.

FIG. 38I shows one embodiment of a liquid container with a liquidquality sensor.

FIG. 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of adouble walled travel mug.

FIG. 40 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of adouble-walled travel mug.

FIG. 41 is a schematic view of an actively heated bread basket.

FIG. 42 is a schematic view of an actively heated tortilla warmer.

FIG. 43 is a schematic view of a mug (e.g., travel mug) with an electrichand warmer.

FIG. 44 is a schematic block diagram showing communication between anelectronic module in actively heated/cooled drinkware, dishware, orserverware and a user interface thereon and/or on a remote electronicdevice.

FIG. 45 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heat sink coolingmechanism.

FIG. 46 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a coolingmechanism.

FIG. 47 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a lid mechanism.

FIG. 48 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a kinetic electricitygenerator.

FIGS. 49A-49B show the use of a removable insert for holding liquid.

FIG. 50 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container.

FIG. 50A is a schematic partial transverse cross-sectional view of anembodiment of a drinkware container.

FIG. 51 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 52 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 53 is a perspective cross-sectional view of o an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 54 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 55 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 56 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 57 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 58 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 59 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 60 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 61 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 62 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 63 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of adrinkware container;

FIG. 64 is a perspective partial view of another embodiment of adrinkware container.

FIG. 65 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of adrinkware container.

FIG. 66 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of adrinkware container.

FIG. 67 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of adrinkware container.

FIG. 68 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of adrinkware container.

FIGS. 69A-69B show a perspective view of another embodiment of adrinkware container.

FIGS. 70A-70B show a perspective view of another embodiment of adrinkware container.

FIGS. 71A-71B show a perspective view of another embodiment of adrinkware container.

FIGS. 72A-72B show a perspective view of another embodiment of adrinkware container.

FIG. 73 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a drinkware containerand charging base system.

FIGS. 74A-74B show a schematic view of an embodiment of a drinkwarecontainer assembly.

FIGS. 75A-75B show a schematic view of an embodiment of a drinkwarecontainer assembly.

FIGS. 76A-76C show a schematic view of an embodiment of a drinkwarecontainer and charging base system.

FIGS. 77A-77C show an embodiment of a drinkware container assembly.

FIGS. 78A-78B show an embodiment of a drinkware container assembly.

FIGS. 79A-79B show an embodiment of a drinkware container assembly.

FIGS. 80-81 show an embodiment of a food container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 show one embodiment of heated or cooled dishware orserverware. In particular, FIGS. 1-3 show one embodiment of a heated orcooled plate 100, bowl or serving dish. In the illustrated embodiment,the plate 100, bowl or serving dish has a circumferential wall 10 with aside surface 30 a and a base 20 having a top surface 20 a, where theside surface 30 a and top surface 20 a define a recess 30 that can holdfood (e.g., receiving portion of the plate that holds food). In anotherembodiment, the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can be flat with agenerally flat top surface (e.g., where the food receiving portion isnot recessed). The wall 10 extends from a top edge 12 to a bottom edge14. A bottom portion 40 of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish defines abottom surface 42 of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish, which isrecessed relative to the edge 14. A bottom section 19 defines a recess16 of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish, such that the edge 14, notthe bottom surface 42, contacts a table or counter surface when theplate 100, bowl or serving dish is placed on the table or countersurface. In another embodiment, the bottom surface 42 can be flush withthe bottom edge 14, not recessed relative to the edge 14. In stillanother embodiment, the bottom surface 42 can protrude from the bottomof the plate 100, bowl or serving dish relative to the edge 14. Theplate 100, bowl or serving dish can look (e.g., be sized and shaped)like a conventional plate and fit within standard dishwasher racks.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the bottom portion 40 attaches tothe wall 10 so that a cavity 50 is defined between the bottom portion 40and the base 20, where the cavity 50 is sized to house severalcomponents, as described below. As shown in FIG. 2, the plate 100, bowlor serving dish can include a heating or cooling system 55, which caninclude a heating or cooling element 60, an insulative member 70, one ormore electrical energy storage devices 80 electrically connected to theheating of cooling element 60, and an electronic module 90. The heatingor cooling element 60, insulative member 70, electrical energy storagedevices 80 and electronic module 90 can be disposed (e.g., embedded) ina bottom section of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish. In anotherembodiment, the heating or cooling system 55 can be housed in a modulethat is removably attachable to the plate 100, bowl or serving dish. Inthis embodiment, the heating or cooling element 60 and insulating member70 can be a part of the removable module or can be disposed in theplate, and not part of the removable module.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling element 60 can be heater wireor heating wire that is disposed adjacent a bottom surface 20 b of thebase 20 (e.g., adhered or otherwise secured to the bottom surface 20 b),where the heater wire can heat up and transfer heat to the top surface20 a of the base 20 via conduction through the base 20 (e.g., to raisethe temperature of the base 20 above ambient temperature to maintainfood on the plate 100, bowl or serving dish warm, such as at a desiredtemperature or within a desired temperature range). In one embodiment,the heating or cooling system 55 can include a drive transistor toaccommodate heavy switching current flowing from the electrical energystorage element 80 to one or more low resistance heating or coolingelement 60. The insulative member 70 can be plate-like and disposedproximate the heating or cooling element 60 so that the heating orcooling element 60 is interposed between the insulative member 70 andthe base 20. In one embodiment, the insulative member 70 can be aceramic plate. However, in other embodiments, the insulative member 70can be made of other suitable materials that are thermally insulative.In still other embodiments, the insulative member 70 can be excluded.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the one or more energy storagedevices 80 can in one embodiment be batteries, such as rechargeablebatteries. For example, the one or more energy storage devices 80 can belithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries or lithium polymer (Li-poly) batteries.However, in other embodiments where the energy storage devices 80 arebatteries, the batteries can be other suitable types (e.g., lead acid,nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride). In one embodiment, the batterycan be provided in combination with a step-up transformer to provide therequired voltage. In another embodiment, the one or more energy storagedevices 80 can be capacitors. The one or more energy storage devices 80can be electrically connected to the heating or cooling element 60 andconfigured to supply power to the heating or cooling element 60 to heator cool at least a portion of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish.

The electronic module 90 can be attached to a top surface 44 of thebottom portion 40 and electrically connected to the one or more energystorage devices 80. In one embodiment, the electronic module 90 caninclude one or more of a wireless power receiver 92, control circuitry94 (e.g., controller circuit, microcontroller, etc.) and a charger 96(e.g., charging circuit) for charging the one or more energy storagedevices 80. In other embodiments, the electronic module 90 can havedifferent or additional electronics. The electronic module 90 caninclude a microcontroller unit (MCU) with capacitive sensing and graphiccontrol features. In one embodiment, the wireless power receiver 92 iselectrically connected to the battery charger 96, which is connected tothe one or more energy storage devices 80 that are then electricallyconnected to the heating or cooling element 60 through a controllercircuit 94. The control circuitry can also be used to manage thecharging of the one or more energy storage devices 80. In anotherembodiment, where the energy storage devices 80 are excluded (asdiscussed further below), the wireless power receiver 92 can beelectrically connected directly to the heating or cooling element 60.The control circuitry 94 can operate to manage the power delivered tothe heating or cooling element 60.

In one embodiment, the bottom portion 40 can be removably attached tothe plate 100, bowl or serving dish to allow access to the heating orcooling system 55 in the cavity 50. For example, the bottom portion 40can be mechanically coupled to the plate 100, bowl or serving dish(e.g., with screws, a threaded interface between the bottom portion 40and the plate 100, bowl or serving dish, a press-fit connection, etc.).The bottom portion 40 can be removed to allow the replacing of the oneor more energy storage devices 80 and the servicing of the heating orcooling system 55. In one embodiment, the bottom portion 40 can be awater resistant lid that can be removably attachable (e.g., threaded onor screwed) to the plate 100, bowl or serving dish for accessing theheating or cooling system 55. In another embodiment, the bottom portion40 can be a water resistant lid that can be removably attachable (e.g.,threaded on or screwed) to the plate 100, bowl or serving dish foraccessing the one or more energy storage devices 80. In yet anotherembodiment, the energy storage devices 80 can be in a pack that isattached (e.g., threaded, snap fit, screwed down) onto the bottom of theplate 100, bowl or serving dish, where the pack's electrical contactsconnect with a set of electrical contacts on the bottom of the plate100, bowl or serving dish, as shown for example in FIGS. 27-28 anddescribed below. In still another embodiment, the one or more energystorage devices 80 can be sealed in the body of the plate 100 and not beremovable (e.g., the heating or cooling system 55 and electronics of theplate 100 can be sealed in the plate so as to not be removable). Thisconfiguration (e.g., sealed energy storage elements 80 that are notremovable) can also be incorporated into any other drinkware, dishwareor serverware devices, such as the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 1100, 1300,1400, mug 400 and travel mug 600, cup, baby bottle 1500, water bottle orliquid container discussed below.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, a charging base 200 can have aprotruding or raised section 220 with a top surface 222 and a bottomsurface 224. A wireless power transmitter 240 can be attached to thebottom surface 224. The protruding section 220 is preferably shaped andsized to at least partially fit into the recess 16 in the plate 100,bowl or serving dish, such that the top surface 222 is adjacent thebottom surface 42 of the bottom portion 40. Advantageously, theprotruding section 220 fits at least partially into the recess 16 so asto generally align the electronic module 90 over the wireless powertransmitter 240 to facilitate wireless power transmission between thewireless power transmitter 240 and the wireless power receiver 92. Inanother embodiment, the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can have aprotruding portion and the charging base 200 a recessed portion, wherethe protruding portion fits at least partially within the recessedportion when the plate 100, bowl or serving dish is coupled to thecharging base 200. The wireless power transmitter 220 can beelectrically connected to a power source (not shown), such as a walloutlet, via a power cord (not shown).

In one embodiment, the wireless power transmitter 240 can be aninduction coil and the wireless power receiver 92 can also be aninduction coil. Therefore, in one embodiment, the charging base 200 canwirelessly transmit power from the power transmitter 240 to the wirelesspower receiver 92 via induction coupling. However, transmission of powerfrom the wireless power transmitter 240 to the wireless power receiver92 is not limited to inductive coupling. In other embodiments, otherforms of short-distance wireless energy transfer can be used (e.g.,microwave energy). In still other embodiments, further discussed below,long-distance wireless energy transfer can be used to transmit power tothe wireless power receiver 92, without the use of a charging base.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling system 55 is advantageouslyembedded or housed in the body of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish sothat no portion of the heating or cooling system 55 is exposed or can becontacted by a user while holding the plate 100, bowl or serving dish.Therefore, the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can advantageously beexposed to water or other liquids, e.g., in a sink or in a dishwasher,without exposing the heating or cooling system 55 to said water orliquids, thereby inhibiting damage to the heating or cooling system 55.Additionally, by having all components embedded or housed in the body ofthe plate 100, bowl or serving dish, the plate 100, bowl or serving dishcan be aesthetically pleasing as it looks like a conventional plate.

FIGS. 3A-3B shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled plate 100′″,bowl or serving dish. The heated or cooled plate 100′″, bowl or servingdish is similar to the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl or serving dishand includes the same components and features disclosed for the heatedor cooled plate 100, except as noted below. Thus, the reference numeralsused to designate the various components of the heated or cooled plate100′″, bowl or serving dish are identical to those used for identifyingthe corresponding components of the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl orserving dish in FIGS. 1-3, except that a “′″” has been added to thereference numerals.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the plate 100′″, bowlor serving dish can include one or more corrosion resistant electricalcontacts 46′″ on an outer surface of the plate 100′″, bowl or servingdish, such as the bottom surface 42′″ of the bottom portion 40′″ of theplate 100′″, bowl or serving dish, where the electrical contacts aresized and shaped to contact corresponding electrical contacts 246′″ onthe charging base 200′″ (e.g., on the top surface 222′″ of theprotruding section 220′″ of the charging base 200″), when the plate100′″, bowl or serving dish is placed on the charging base 200′″ so thatpower is transmitted from the charging base 200′″ to the energy storagedevices 80′″, heating or cooling element 60′″ and/or electronic module90′″ in the plate 100′″, bowl or serving dish through the electricalcontacts 46′″, 246′″. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts of theplate 100′″, bowl or serving dish can protrude from a surface of theplate 100′″, bowl or serving dish, such as electrical posts. In anotherembodiment, shown in FIG. 3A, the electrical contacts 46′″ of the plate100′″, bowl or serving dish can be one or more contact pads on thebottom surface 42′″ of the bottom portion 40′″ of the plate 100′″, bowlor serving dish, which can contact corresponding contacts, such as thepin contacts 246′″ on the top surface 222′″ of the charging base 200′″.However, the electrical contacts on the plate 100′″, bowl or servingdish and charging base 200′″ can have other suitable configurations. Asshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the plate 100′″ can have a slot 48′″ on thebottom surface of the plate 100′″, bowl or serving dish (e.g., formed onthe bottom surface 42′″ of the bottom portion 40′″ of the plate 100′″,bowl or serving dish) that is sized and shaped to receive a pin or key248′″ on the charging base 200′″. The slot 48′″ and pin or key 248′″provide a “clocking” aspect of the plate 100′″, bowl or serving dishthat allows the electrical contacts 46′″ of the plate 100′″, bowl orserving dish to readily align with the electrical contacts 246′″ of thecharging base 200′″. However, in another embodiment, the slot can beformed on the charging base 200′″ and the pin or key can be formed onthe bottom of the plate 100′″, bowl or serving dish. This configurationof electrical contacts and slot/key arrangement can also be incorporatedinto any other drinkware, dishware or serverware devices, such as theplate 800, 800′, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400 and travel mug 600, cup, babybottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container discussed below.

In another embodiment, the heating or cooling system 55 can be housed ina non-water proof module that can be removably attached to the plate100, bowl or serving dish (e.g., threadably coupled to the plate 100, orcoupled via a pin/slot assembly where the module twists into the bottomof a plate 100) to heat or cool the plate 100. In this embodiment, whenthe plate 100, bowl or serving dish is to be washed, the heating orcooling module can be decoupled from the plate 100, bowl or serving dishbefore the plate 100, bowl or serving dish is washed (e.g., placed inthe dish washing machine). The heating or cooling module can then beplaced on a corresponding charging station for use at a later time whenit can again be coupled to a plate 100, bowl or serving dish to heat orcool food on the plate 100. The embodiment described above can apply toother forms of dishware (e.g., mug, cup, serving dish).

In another embodiment, the charging base 200 can be excluded and powercan be transmitted to the wireless power receiver 92 via a remote powertransmitter using long-distance wireless energy transmission, as furtherdiscussed below. In this embodiment, where the heated or cooled plate100, bowl or serving dish also does not have energy storage devices,such as the energy storage devices 80, the heating or cooling element 60is electrically connected to the wireless power receiver 92 via thecontrol circuit 94, which is operable to control the amount of powerthat is provided to the heating or cooling element 60. During operation,if the plate 100, bowl or serving dish is out of range of the wirelesspower transmission, the heating or cooling element 60 will lose powerand shut off. For example, in this embodiment if the plate 100, bowl orserving dish is not on a charging base, such as the charging base 200,or out of the range of power transmission from a remote wireless powertransmitter, the heating or cooling element 60 in the plate 100, bowl orserving dish will lose power and shut off.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show one embodiment of a charging stand 300 that can bestored in a cabinet, such as a kitchen cabinet, or on a countertop or ina pantry. The charging stand 300 can have a plurality of charging bases220′, each of which is attached to a rear wall 320 of the charging stand300 by a connecting support 230′. The charging stand 300 can also have apair of arms 310 on either side of the charging base 220′, each arm 310having a surface 312 that can contact at least a portion of the wall 10of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish and helps support the plate 100,bowl or serving dish on the charging base 220′. Each of the chargingbases 220′ can have a wireless power transmitter, such as the wirelesspower transmitter 240, disposed therein, which can transmit power to awireless power receiver in the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl orserving dish that is placed on the charging base 220′. The chargingstand 300 can have a power cord (not shown) to connect the stand to, forexample, a wall outlet, in order to electrically connect the wirelesspower transmitters in the charging bases 220′ with the power source.

In another embodiment, the charging stand 300 can be excluded, and theplates 100 can be stacked on top of each other, with a single chargingbase at the bottom of the stack (e.g., the charging base 200 in FIG. 3)In this embodiment, the electronic module 90 in each plate 100, bowl orserving dish can include a repeater circuit that takes the power comingin from the wireless power receiver 92 (inside the plate 100) and thenenergizes a wireless power transmitter (not shown) which would bemounted just underneath bottom surface 20 b inside the same plate 100.In this embodiment, when another plate is stacked on top of this plate100, the top plate can receive power from the wireless power transmitterwhich is located in the plate 100, bowl or serving dish directly beneathit. In this manner, when a number of plates were stacked on top of eachother, each plate would wirelessly receive power from the plate beneathit, and transmit power to the plate above it. In one embodiment, theenergy storage devices are excluded from the plate 100, bowl or servingdish (or mug 400 or travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer discussed below), so the wireless power receiver can beelectrically connected to the heating or cooling element. This allows astack of plates 100 to be positioned on one stand.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled plate 100′. Theheated or cooled plate 100′, bowl or serving dish is similar to theheated or cooled plate 100, bowl or serving dish and includes the samecomponents and features disclosed for the heated or cooled plate 100,except as noted below. Thus, the reference numerals used to designatethe various components of the heated or cooled plate 100′, bowl orserving dish are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl orserving dish in FIGS. 1-3, except that a “′” has been added to thereference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heated or cooled plate 100′, bowl orserving dish has a heating or cooling element 60′ that includes a tracepattern that is traced or laid onto at least a portion of the topsurface 20 a′ of the base 20′ of the plate 100′. For example, the tracepattern can be screen printed onto the top surface 20 a′ and have aconnecting portion (not shown) that electrically connects the heating orcooling element 60′ to the energy storage devices 80′, wireless powerreceiver 92′, and/or control circuitry 94′. This configuration of aheating or cooling element can also be incorporated into any otherdrinkware, dishware or serverware devices, such as the plate 800, 800′,1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400 and travel mug 600, cup, baby bottle 1500,water bottle or liquid container discussed below.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled plate 100″. Theheated or cooled plate 100′″, bowl or serving dish is similar to theheated or cooled plate 100, bowl or serving dish and includes the samecomponents and features disclosed for the heated or cooled plate 100,except as noted below. Thus, the reference numerals used to designatethe various components of the heated plate 100′″, bowl or serving dishare identical to those used for identifying the corresponding componentsof the heated plate 100, bowl or serving dish in FIGS. 1-3, except thata “″” has been added to the reference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 50′″ in the heated or cooledplate 100′″, bowl or serving dish can be subdivided by the insulativemember 70 into a first cavity 50 a between the bottom portion 40 and theinsulative member 70 and a second cavity 50 b between the insulativemember 70 and the base 20. The energy storage devices 80 and electronicmodule 90 are disposed in the first cavity 50 a. The insulative member70 is positioned against a ledge 10 a defined between the bottom portion40 and the base 20 so that the insulative member 70 is spaced from theheating or cooling element 60, thereby defining the second cavity 50 b.In the illustrated embodiment, the second cavity 50 b is under a vacuum,which advantageously further thermally insulates the energy storagedevices 80 and electronic module 90 from the heating or cooling element60. Additionally, having the second cavity 50 b under a vacuumadvantageously allows the top surface 20 a of the base 20 to maintainits temperature for a longer period of time, as the vacuum in the secondcavity 50 b inhibits heat transfer through the bottom of the plate100′″. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating or cooling element 60can be electrically connected to the one or more energy storage devices80 via a connector (not shown) that extends between the first and secondcavities 50 a, 50 b (e.g., a trace line printed on the side wall of thefirst and second cavities 50 a, 50 b). This vacuum configuration canalso be incorporated into any other drinkware, dishware or serverwaredevices, such as the plate 800, 800′, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400 andtravel mug 600, cup, baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquid containerdiscussed below.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate a heated or cooled mug 400, cup, water bottle orliquid container with a circumferential wall 412 having a side surface412 a, a handle 414 and a base 420 having a top surface 420 a, where theside surface 412 a and top surface 420 a define a cavity 418 that canhold a liquid or solid (e.g., coffee, soup, ice cream). The heated orcooled mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container can have a bottomportion 419 that defines a recess 450 between a bottom edge 416 a andthe base 420. A bottom member (e.g., plate) 440 can be positionedagainst a ledge 419 a of the bottom portion 419, so as to define acavity 450 a between the bottom member 440 and the base 420. In theillustrated embodiment, a heating or cooling system 455 can be disposed(e.g., embedded) in the cavity 450 a. The heating or cooling system 455can include a heating or cooling element 460, an insulative member 470,one or more energy storage devices 480 and an electronic module 490, andthese components can be arranged and connected in the same mannerdescribed above in connection with the heated or cooled plate 100. Inanother embodiment, the insulative member 470 can be excluded.

The heating or cooling element 460 can be disposed adjacent a bottomsurface 420 b of the base 420 so as to conduct heat through the base 420to a top surface 420 a of the base 420. In one embodiment, the heatingor cooling element 460 can also be disposed within the wall 412 andbehind a side surface 412 of the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer. In one embodiment, the heating or cooling element 460 can bea heater wire or heating wire. In another embodiment, the heating orcooling element 460 can be a resistive heater. However, in otherembodiments, the heating or cooling element 460 can include othersuitable mechanisms. In one embodiment, the heating or cooling system455 can include a drive transistor to accommodate heavy switchingcurrent flowing from the electrical energy storage element 480 to one ormore low resistance heating or cooling element 460.

The electronic module 490 can be attached to a top surface 444 of thebottom member 440 and include one or more of a wireless power receiver492, control circuitry 494 (e.g., controller circuit, microcontroller,etc.) and a charger 496 (e.g., charging circuit) for charging the one ormore energy storage devices 480. The electronic module 490 can include aMCU with capacitive sensing and graphic control features. The controlcircuitry 494 can operate to manage the power delivered to the heatingor cooling element 460. The control circuitry 494 can also be used tomanage the charging of the one or more energy storage devices 480. Inone embodiment, the wireless power receiver 492 is electricallyconnected to the battery charger 496, which is electrically connected tothe energy storage devices 480 that in turn are electrically connectedto the heating or cooling element 460. In another embodiment, whereenergy storage devices are excluded (as discussed further below), thewireless power receiver 492 can be electrically connected to the heatingor cooling element 460. In one embodiment, the heating or cooling system455 is completely disposed in the bottom portion 419 so that no part ofthe system 455 is visible (i.e., the mug 400 looks like a conventionalmug). In another embodiment, the heating or cooling system 455 can behoused in a module that is removably attachable to the mug 400.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8-9, the bottom portion 440 can beaxially spaced from the bottom edge 416 a so as to define a recess 416at the bottom of the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container. Acharging base 500 for the heated or cooled mug 400, cup, water bottle orliquid container can include a raised portion 520 with a top surface522, where the raised portion 520 is sized and shaped to fit at leastpartially within the recess 416 when the mug 400, cup, water bottle orliquid container is placed on the charging base 500, so that a bottomsurface 442 of the bottom member 440 is adjacent the top surface 522 ofthe raised portion 520. The charging base can include a wireless powertransmitter 540 attached to a bottom surface 524 of the raised portion520, where the wireless power transmitter 540 is arranged on the bottomsurface 524 so as to generally align with the electronic module 490 whenthe mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container is positioned on thecharging base 500 to facilitate wireless power transmission between thewireless power transmitter 540 and the wireless power receiver 492(e.g., via short distance wireless energy transfer, such as inductivecoupling, as discussed above). In another embodiment, the mug 400, cup,water bottle or liquid container can have a protruding portion at itsbottom and the charging base 500 can have a corresponding recessedportion, where the protruding portion fits within the recessed portionwhen the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container is coupled tothe charging base 500. The wireless power transmitter 540 can beelectrically connected to a power source (not shown), such as a walloutlet, via a power cord (not shown).

In one embodiment, the bottom member 440 can be removably attached tothe mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container to allow access tothe heating or cooling system 455 in the cavity 450 a. For example, thebottom member 440 can be mechanically coupled to the mug 400, cup, waterbottle or liquid container (e.g., with screws, a threaded interfacebetween the bottom member 440 and mug 400, a press-fit connection). Thebottom member 440 can be removed to allow the replacing of the one ormore energy storage devices 480 and the servicing of the heating orcooling system 455. In one embodiment, the bottom member 440 can be awater resistant lid that can be removably attachable (e.g., threaded onor screwed) to the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container foraccessing the heating or cooling system 455. In another embodiment, thebottom member 440 can be a water resistant lid that can be removablyattachable (e.g., threaded on or screwed) to the mug 400, cup, waterbottle or liquid container for accessing the one or more energy storagedevices 480. In yet another embodiment, the energy storage devices 480can be in a pack that is attached (e.g., threaded, snap fit, screweddown) onto the bottom of the mug 400, where the pack's electricalcontacts connect with a set of electrical contacts on the bottom of themug 400.

In another embodiment, the charging base 500 can be excluded and powercan be transmitted to the wireless power receiver 492 via a remote powertransmitter using long-distance wireless energy transmission, as furtherdiscussed below. In this embodiment, where the heated or cooled mug 400,cup, water bottle or liquid container also does not have energy storagedevices, such as the energy storage devices 480, the heating or coolingelement 460 is electrically connected to the wireless power receiver 492via the control circuit 494, which is operable to control the amount ofpower that is provided to the heating or cooling element 460. Duringoperation, if the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container is outof range of the wireless power transmission, the heating or coolingelement 460 will lose power and shut off. For example, in thisembodiment if the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container is noton a charging base, such as the charging base 500, or out of the rangeof power transmission from a remote wireless power transmitter, theheating or cooling element 460 in the mug 400, cup, water bottle orliquid container will lose power and shut off.

The one or more energy storage devices 480 can advantageously supplypower to the heating or cooling element 460 for a prolonged period oftime before its power charge diminishes, thereby advantageouslymaintaining the contents of the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer (e.g., soup, coffee, ice cream) hot or cold, for a prolongedperiod of time. In one embodiment, the energy storage devices 480 canpower the heating or cooling element 460 for at least 15 minutes. Inanother embodiment, the energy storage devices 480 can power the heatingor cooling element 460 for between about 30 minutes and about 60minutes. However, in another embodiment, the energy storage devices 480can power the heating or cooling element 460 for greater than 60minutes. In another embodiment, the power level, or desired temperature,can be selected by the user (e.g., via a switch) which will extend orshorten the duration of time that the heating or cooling element 460will run for, as further discussed below.

As discussed above, in one embodiment, the heating or cooling system 455is advantageously embedded in the body of the mug 400, cup, water bottleor liquid container (e.g., embedded in the bottom portion 419 of the mug400) so that no portion of the heating or cooling system 455 is exposedor can be contacted by a user while holding the mug 400, cup, waterbottle or liquid container. Therefore, the mug 400, cup, water bottle orliquid container can advantageously be exposed to water or otherliquids, e.g., in a sink or in a dishwasher, without exposing theheating or cooling system 455 to said water or liquids, therebyinhibiting damage to the heating or cooling system 455. Additionally, bybeing embedded in the body of the mug 460, the mug 460 can beaesthetically pleasing as it looks like a conventional mug.

In another embodiment, the heating or cooling system 455 can be housedin a non-water proof module that can be removably attached to the mug400, cup, water bottle or liquid container (e.g., threadably coupled tothe mug 400, or coupled via a pin/slot assembly where the module twistsinto the bottom of a mug 400) to heat or cool the mug 400, cup, waterbottle or liquid container. In this embodiment, when the mug 400, cup,water bottle or liquid container is to be washed, the heating or coolingmodule can be decoupled from the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer before the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container iswashed (e.g., placed in the dish washing machine). The heating orcooling module can then be placed on a corresponding charging stationfor use at a later time when it can again be coupled to a mug 400, cup,water bottle or liquid container to heat or cool the contents of the mug400.

In another embodiment, the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer can include one or more corrosion resistant electricalcontacts (not shown) on an outer surface of the mug 400, such as thebottom surface 442 of the bottom portion 440 of the mug 400, where theelectrical contacts are sized and shaped to contact correspondingelectrical contacts (not shown) on the charging base 500 when the mug400, cup, water bottle or liquid container is placed on the chargingbase 500. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts of the mug 400,cup, water bottle or liquid container can protrude from a surface of themug 400, such as electrical posts. In another embodiment, the electricalcontacts of the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container can beone or more contact pads (not shown) on the bottom surface 442 of thebottom portion 440 of the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid containerthat can contact corresponding contact pads (not shown) on the topsurface 522 of the charging base 500. However, the electrical contactson the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container and charging base500 can have other suitable configurations.

FIG. 9A shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled mug 400′, cup,water bottle or liquid container. The heated or cooled mug 400′, cup,water bottle or liquid container is similar to the heated or cooled mug400, cup, water bottle or liquid container and includes the samecomponents and features disclosed for the heated or cooled mug 400,except as noted below. Thus, the reference numerals used to designatethe various components of the heated or cooled mug 400′, cup, waterbottle or liquid container are identical to those used for identifyingthe corresponding components of the heated or cooled mug 400, cup, waterbottle or liquid container in FIGS. 8-9, except that a “′” has beenadded to the reference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heated or cooled mug 400′, cup, waterbottle or liquid container can have a heating or cooling element 460′,which is shown schematically in FIG. 9A. In one embodiment, the heatingor cooling element 460′ can be a heater wire or heating wire, such asthe heating or cooling element 460 shown in FIGS. 8-9. In anotherembodiment, the heating or cooling element 460′ can be a resistiveheater. However, in other embodiments, the heating or cooling element460′ can include other suitable mechanisms. In one embodiment, theheating or cooling element 460′ can be an active cooling element or apassive cooling element. For example, where the heating or coolingelement 460′ is a passive cooling element, the heating or coolingelement 460′ can include a thermoelectric system with one or morePeltier elements in contact with, or in proximity to, the bottom surface420 b of the base 420. In another embodiment, where the heating orcooling element 460′ is an active cooling element, the heating orcooling element 460′ can include a chilled fluid circulation system withchannels (not shown) disposed in contact with, or in proximity to, thebottom surface 420 b of the base 420. In still another embodiment, theheating or cooling element 460′ can be a FREON® cooling system with anexpansion channel (not shown) inside a bottom portion 419 of the mug400′, cup, water bottle or liquid container (or other dishware device).However, the heating or cooling element 460′ can include other suitableactive cooling arrangements. Though the illustrated embodiment is for aheated or cooled mug 400′, the heating or cooling element 460′ can beincorporated into any dishware, drinkware or serverware device, such asthe plate 100, bowl or serving dish and travel mug 600, cup, waterbottle or liquid container (discussed below). In some embodiments, thedishware, drinkware or serverware device can include a heat sink (e.g.,one or more fins) to dissipate heat generated by the heating or coolingelement. In one embodiment, the heat sink can be incorporated into thebody of the dishware, drinkware or serverware device. In anotherembodiment, the heat sink can be removably attached to the dishware,drinkware or serverware device. The heating or cooling element 460′ canbe operated to maintain liquid or solid food in the dishware, drinkwareor serverware device warm or cool (e.g., to raise or lower thetemperature of the receiving portion of the dishware, drinkware orserverware device above or below ambient temperature to maintain thefood warm or cool, such as at a desired temperature or within a desiredtemperature range).

FIGS. 10-12 show one embodiment of a travel mug 600, such as a travelcoffee mug, that incorporates some of the same features described abovewith respect to the mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container has an outer circumferential wall 610, a handle 612 anda bottom portion 640, where the bottom portion 640 can, in oneembodiment, be removably attached to the distal end of the outercircumferential wall 610. In the illustrated embodiment, the travel mug600, cup, water bottle or liquid container has an inner circumferentialwall 620 that extends from a proximal portion 622 to a base 626 and hasa distal portion 624 adjacent the base 626. The inner circumferentialwall 620 defines a chamber 620 c (e.g., receiving portion) for holding aliquid (e.g., coffee, tea). The travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container can be sized to fit in a standard diameter cup holderof an automobile. Additionally, the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container can have a height that allows the travel mug 600, cup,water bottle or liquid container to fit in a drawer (e.g., top drawer)of a dishwasher rack, such that the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container can be placed upside down in the dishwasher forcleaning in a generally vertical orientation. In one embodiment, thetravel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container can hold about 16ounces of liquid. However, other liquid containment sizes can be used.

The inner circumferential wall 620 can attach at its proximal portion622 to a proximal end 612 a of the outer circumferential wall 610. Asshown in FIG. 10, the inner circumferential wall 620 is shaped relativeto the outer circumferential wall 610 so as to define an annular gap 628between the inner circumferential wall 620 and the outer circumferentialwall 610. Additionally, the base 626 of the inner circumferential wall620 is spaced apart from the bottom portion 640 so as to define a cavity630 therebetween, where the cavity 630 is in communication with theannular gap 628. A cover 670 can be removably disposed over the openingO in the inner circumferential wall 620 to substantially seal theopening O.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10-11, the travel mug 600, cup, waterbottle or liquid container can have a heating or cooling system 655disposed in the cavity 630. In one embodiment, the heating or coolingsystem can include a heating or cooling element 660, one or more energystorage devices 680 and an electronic module 690, where these componentscan be arranged and connected in the same manner described above inconnection with the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl or serving dish andheated or cooled mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container. Theheating or cooling element 660 can be disposed adjacent the distalportion 624 of the inner circumferential wall 620. In the illustratedembodiment, the heating or cooling element 660 can be wrapped around thedistal portion 624 and in contact with an outer surface 620 a of theinner circumferential wall 620 at the location of the distal portion 624so as to conduct heat through the distal portion 624 of the innercircumferential wall 620 and into the liquid in the chamber 620 c. Inone embodiment, the heating or cooling system 655 can include a drivetransistor to accommodate heavy switching current flowing from theelectrical energy storage element 680 to one or more low resistanceheating or cooling element 660.

The electronic module 690 can be attached to a top surface 644 of thebottom portion 640 and can include one or more of a wireless powerreceiver 692 (e.g., that can receive power from an inductive couplingtransmitter in a charging base or a charging pad), control circuitry 694(e.g., controller circuit, microcontroller, etc.) and a charger 696(e.g., charging circuit) for charging the one or more energy storagedevices 680. The electronic module 690 can include a MCU with capacitivesensing and graphic control features. The control circuitry 694 canoperate to manage the power delivered to the heating or cooling element660. The control circuitry can also be used to manage the charging ofthe one or more energy storage devices 680. In another embodiment, aninsulative member, such as the insulative member 70, 470 discussedabove, can be disposed between the base 626 of the inner circumferentialwall 620 and the electronic module 690 to thermally isolate the heatingor cooling element 660 from the electronic module 690.

In one embodiment, the wireless power receiver 692 is electricallyconnected to the battery charger 696, which is electrically connected tothe energy storage devices 680 that in turn are electrically connectedto the heating or cooling element 660. In another embodiment, whereenergy storage devices 680 are excluded, the wireless power receiver 692can be electrically connected to the heating or cooling element 660. Inone embodiment, the heating or cooling system 655 is completely disposedin the cavity 630 so that no part of the system 655 is visible (i.e.,the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container looks like aconventional travel mug).

In one embodiment, the bottom portion 640 can be removably attached tothe travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container to allowaccess to the heating or cooling system 655 in the cavity 630. Forexample, the bottom portion 640 can be mechanically coupled to thetravel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container (e.g., withscrews, a threaded interface between the bottom portion 640 and travelmug 600, a press-fit connection). The bottom portion 640 can be removedto allow the replacing of the one or more energy storage devices 680 andthe servicing of the heating or cooling system 655. In one embodiment,the bottom portion 640 can be a water resistant lid that can beremovably attachable (e.g., threaded on or screwed) to the travel mug600, cup, water bottle or liquid container for accessing the heating orcooling system 655. In another embodiment, the bottom portion 640 can bea water resistant lid that can be removably attachable (e.g., threadedon or screwed) to the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer for accessing the one or more energy storage devices 680. Inyet another embodiment, the energy storage devices 680 can be in a packthat is attached (e.g., threaded snap fit, screwed down) onto the bottomor side of the travel mug 600, where the pack's electrical contactsconnect with a set of electrical contacts on the bottom or side of thetravel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10-12, a charging base 700 for thetravel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container can include arecessed portion 710 with a base 720, where the recessed portion 710 issized and shaped to at least partially receive the distal portion of thetravel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container therein, so that abottom surface 642 of the bottom portion 640 is adjacent the base 720when the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container is placedon the charging base 700. The charging base 700 can include a wirelesspower transmitter (not shown) attached to a bottom surface of the base720, in a similar manner as discussed above in connection with thecharging base 200, 500. The wireless power transmitter is arranged onthe bottom surface of the base 720 so as to generally align with theelectronic module 690 when the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container is positioned on the charging base 700 to facilitatewireless power transmission between the wireless power transmitter andthe wireless power receiver 692 (e.g., via short distance wirelessenergy transfer, such as inductive coupling, as discussed above). Inanother embodiment, the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer can have a recessed portion, and the charging base 700 acorresponding protruding portion that can at least partially fit withinthe recessed portion of the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer when the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid containeris coupled to the charging base 700. The wireless power transmitter canbe electrically connected to a power source (not shown), such as a walloutlet, via a power cord (not shown).

In another embodiment, the charging base 700 can be excluded and powercan be transmitted to the wireless power receiver 692 via a remote powertransmitter using long-distance wireless energy transmission, as furtherdiscussed below. In this embodiment, where the travel mug 600, cup,water bottle or liquid container also does not have energy storagedevices, such as the energy storage devices 680, the heating or coolingelement 660 is electrically connected to the wireless power receiver 692via the control circuit 694, which is operable to control the amount ofpower that is provided to the heating or cooling element 660. Duringoperation, if the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid containeris out of range of the wireless power transmission, the heating orcooling element 660 will lose power and shut off. For example, in thisembodiment if the mug 600 is not on a charging base, such as thecharging base 700, or out of the range of power transmission from aremote wireless power transmitter, the heating or cooling element 660 inthe travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container will losepower and shut off. In still another embodiment, the travel mug 600, orplate 100, bowl or serving dish or mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer can include one or more energy storage devices 80, 480, 680electrically connected to the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660and the electronic module 90, 490, 690 can switch to battery power(e.g., via the control circuit 94, 494, 694) when the travel mug 600,plate 100, bowl or serving dish or mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer is out of range of power transmission from the remote wirelesspower transmitter so that the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660can continue to heat or cool the contents of the travel mug 660, plate100, bowl or serving dish or mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer for a period of time.

As with the embodiments discussed above, the heating or cooling element660 can in one embodiment be a heater wire or heating wire. In anotherembodiment, the heating or cooling element 660 can be a resistiveheater. However, in other embodiments, the heating or cooling element660 can include other suitable mechanisms. In one embodiment, theheating or cooling element 660 can be an active cooling element or apassive cooling element. For example, where the heating or coolingelement 660 is a passive cooling element, the heating or cooling element660 can include a thermoelectric system with one or more Peltierelements. In another embodiment, where the heating or cooling element660 is an active cooling element, the heating or cooling element 660 caninclude a chilled fluid circulation system with channels (not shown)disposed in contact with, or in proximity to, the distal portion 624 ofthe inner circumferential wall 620. In still another embodiment, theheating or cooling element 660 can be a FREON® cooling system with anexpansion channel inside the bottom portion of the travel mug 600, cup,water bottle or liquid container (or other dishware device). However,the heating or cooling element 660 can include other suitable activecooling arrangements.

The one or more energy storage devices 680 can advantageously supplypower to the heating or cooling element 660 for a prolonged period oftime before its power charge diminishes, thereby advantageouslymaintaining the contents of the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container (e.g., coffee, soft drink) hot or cold, for a prolongedperiod of time (e.g., while a user is commuting to work). In oneembodiment, the energy storage devices 680 can power the heating orcooling element 660 for at least 15 minutes. In another embodiment, theenergy storage devices 680 can power the heating or cooling element 660for between about 30 minutes and about 60 minutes. However, in anotherembodiment, the energy storage devices 680 can power the heating orcooling element 660 for greater than 60 minutes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container includes a user interface 695 that is electricallyconnected to the electronic module 690 via one or more electrical lines(not shown). In one embodiment, the electrical lines can include tracepatterns screen printed on an inner surface 610 a of the innercircumferential wall 610 and extend between the user interface 695 andthe electronic module 690. In another embodiment, the electrical linescan include one or more standard electrical wires. The user interface695 can include one or more user selection members 695 a, such asbuttons, which the user can actuate to effect a desired control of theheating or cooling system 655. For example, one of the user selectionmembers 695 a can be used to turn off the heating or cooling element 660(e.g., if the user does not want to continue to heat or cool thecontents of the travel mug 600). In another embodiment, one or more ofthe user selection members 695 a can be used to control the heating orcooling element 660 to provide a desired temperature for the liquid inthe travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. In stillanother embodiment, at least one of the user selection members 695 a canbe used to set a timer for when power to the heating or cooling element660 is to be turned off. However, the user selection members 695 a canbe used to control other parameters of the operation of the heating orcooling element 660. For example, the heating or cooling element 660could have multiple power settings that can be set with the userselection members 695 a. When set to a higher power setting the heatingor cooling element 660 will run for a shorter period of time before thepower storage element 680 can no longer power the heating or coolingelement 660. When set to a lower power setting, the heating or coolingelement 660 will run for a longer period of time before the powerstorage element 680 can no longer power the heating or cooling element660. In another embodiment, the temperature level can be selected by auser via an adjustable thermostat on the user interface 695. Thethermostat can advantageously be adjusted to one of multiple temperaturesettings by the user to control the heating or cooling element 660within the travel mug 660 (or other dishware or drinkware device) inorder to maintain its contents at a specified temperature or within aspecified temperature range.

As discussed above, in one embodiment, the heating or cooling system 655is advantageously housed in the body of the travel mug 600, cup, waterbottle or liquid container (e.g., housed in the cavity 630) so that noportion of the heating or cooling system 655 is exposed or can becontacted by a user while holding the travel mug 600, cup, water bottleor liquid container. Therefore, the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container can advantageously be exposed to water or otherliquids, e.g., in a sink or in a dishwasher, without exposing theheating or cooling system 655 to said water or liquids, therebyinhibiting damage to the heating or cooling system 655. Additionally, bybeing housed in the body of the travel mug 660, the travel mug 660 canbe aesthetically pleasing as it looks like a conventional travel mug. Inanother embodiment, the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer can include one or more electrical contacts (e.g., electricalposts, contact pads) on an outer surface of the mug 600, as discussedabove in connection with the mug 400, where the electrical contacts aresized and shaped to contact corresponding electrical contacts (notshown) on the charging base 700 when the travel mug 600, cup, waterbottle or liquid container is placed on the charging base 700.

In another embodiment, the heating or cooling system 655 can be housedin a non-water proof module that can be removably attached to the travelmug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container (e.g., threadably coupledto the travel mug 600, or coupled via a pin/slot assembly where themodule twists into the bottom of a travel mug 600) to heat or cool thetravel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. In thisembodiment, when the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer is to be washed, the heating or cooling module can bedecoupled from the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid containerbefore the travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container iswashed (e.g., placed in the washing machine). The heating or coolingmodule can then be placed on a corresponding charging station for use ata later time when it can again be coupled to a travel mug 600, cup,water bottle or liquid container to heat or cool food on the travel mug600, cup, water bottle or liquid container.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled travel mug 600′,cup, water bottle or liquid container. The heated or cooled travel mug600′, cup, water bottle or liquid container is similar to the heated orcooled travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container andincludes the same components and features disclosed for the heated orcooled travel mug 600, except as noted below. Thus, the referencenumerals used to designate the various components of the heated orcooled travel mug 600′, cup, water bottle or liquid container areidentical to those used for identifying the corresponding components ofthe heated or cooled travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer in FIGS. 10-12, except that a “′” has been added to thereference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heated or cooled travel mug 600′,cup, water bottle or liquid container has a heating or cooling element660′ that includes a trace pattern that is traced or laid onto at leasta portion of the inner surface 620 b′ of the distal portion 624′ of theinner circumferential wall 620′. For example, the trace pattern can bescreen printed onto the inner surface 620 b′ and have a connectingportion (not shown) that electrically connects the heating or coolingelement 660′ to the energy storage devices 680 or wireless powerreceiver 692. This heating or cooling element configuration can also beincorporated into any other drinkware, dishware or serverware devices,such as the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400, cup,baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container discussed below.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled travel mug 600′″,cup, water bottle or liquid container. The heated or cooled travel mug600′″, cup, water bottle or liquid container is similar to the heated orcooled travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container andincludes the same components and features disclosed for the heated orcooled travel mug 600, except as noted below. Thus, the referencenumerals used to designate the various components of the heated orcooled travel mug 600′″, cup, water bottle or liquid container areidentical to those used for identifying the corresponding components ofthe heated or cooled travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer in FIGS. 10-12, except that a “″” has been added to thereference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 630′″ in the heated or cooledtravel mug 600′″, cup, water bottle or liquid container can besubdivided by a base 614′″ of the outer cylindrical wall 610′″ and anadjacent top wall 616′″ into a first cavity 630 a″ between the bottomportion 640′″ and the top wall 616′″ and a second cavity 630 b′″ betweenthe base 614′″ of the outer cylindrical wall 610′″ and the annular gap628′″. The energy storage devices 680 and electronic module 690 aredisposed in the first cavity 630 a′″. In the illustrated embodiment, thesecond cavity 630 b′″ is under a vacuum, which advantageously furtherthermally insulates the energy storage devices 680 and electronic module690 from the heating or cooling element 660. Additionally, having thesecond cavity 630 b′″ under a vacuum advantageously allows the innersurface 620 b of the inner circumferential wall 620 to maintain itstemperature for a longer period of time, and therefore maintain thetemperature of the liquid in the chamber C for a longer period of time,as the vacuum in the second cavity 630 b′″ inhibits heat transferthrough the outer cylindrical wall 610′″ and base 614′″. In theillustrated embodiment, the heating or cooling element 660 can beelectrically connected to the one or more energy storage devices 680 andthe electronic module 690 with a connector (e.g., one or more wires, ora trace line printed on the side wall 620 a′″, 610 a′″ of the inner andouter circumferential walls 610′″, 620) (not shown) that extends betweenthe first and second cavities 630 a′″, 630 b′″. This vacuum arrangementcan also be incorporated into any other drinkware, dishware orserverware devices, such as the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 1100, 1300,1400, mug 400, cup, baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquid containerdiscussed below.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655 isembedded or housed in the body of the dishware device (e.g., plate 100,mug 400, travel mug 600, etc.). In another embodiment, the heating orcooling system 55, 455, 655 can be housed in a closed water-resistant orwater-proof compartment, such as the cavity 50, 450, 630 disposed in arecess of the dishware device. For example, in one embodiment thecompartment can be disposed in said recess such that a surface of thecompartment is flush with the surrounding surface of the dishwaredevice. In another embodiment, the compartment can protrude from asurface of the dishware device. In one embodiment, the water resistantor water-proof compartment can be removably disposed in said recess ofthe dishware device (e.g., the compartment can be removably attachableto the dishware, drinkware or serverware device). In another embodiment,the water resistant or water-proof compartment can be fixed within saidrecess (e.g., attached to the dishware device within the recess via anadhesive, screws, etc.).

As discussed above, in one embodiment power can be transmittedwirelessly from a wireless power transmitter, such as the powertransmitter 240, 540, to a wireless power receiver, such as the powerreceiver 92, 492, 692, via short-distance wireless energy transfer, suchas inductive coupling. In another embodiment, the wireless powerreceiver 92, 492, 692 of the heated or cooled dishware and drinkware,such as the mug 400, plate 100, bowl or serving dish and travel mug 600,can receive power from a remote transmitter via long-distance wirelessenergy transmission, so that a charging base need not be used totransmit power to the heated or cooled dishware and drinkware.

In one embodiment, the remote transmitter can be disposed on a wall orceiling of a home or restaurant, or can be disposed outside the home orrestaurant. The transmitter can wirelessly transmit power over adistance of a few to several meters to the wireless power receiver 92,492, 692 using resonant inductive coupling. In one embodiment, aninductive coil in the remote transmitter can have a capacitance plateattached to each end of the coil wire. As electricity travels throughthe coil, the coil can resonate with a resonant frequency that is aproduct of the inductance of the coil and the capacitance of the plates.The wireless power receiver, such as the wireless power receiver 92,492, 692, can have a similar inductive coil with the same resonantfrequency as the inductive coil in the remote transmitter, so thatenergy can be transmitted from the transmitter to the wireless powerreceiver 92, 492, 692. Accordingly, the heated or cooled dishware ordrinkware, such as the mug 400, plate 100, bowl or serving dish andtravel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container can be poweredwirelessly without the use of a charging base.

In use, a user can charge the one or more energy storage devices, suchas the energy storage devices 80, 480, 680, via the charging base and/orthe remote transmitter. Once charged, the dishware or drinkware can beheated or cooled via the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660 thereofto maintain food or liquids therein warm or chilled, as the case may be,for a prolonged period of time. Additionally, since the heating orcooling system 55, 455, 655 is disposed (e.g., embedded) in the body ofthe dishware or drinkware, such as the mug 400, plate 100, bowl orserving dish or travel mug 600, the dishware and drinkware can beexposed to water (e.g., in a sink or dishwasher) while inhibiting damageto the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655. In another embodiment, asdiscussed above, the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655 can behoused in a closed water resistant or water-proof compartment, wheresaid compartment is fixed or removably attachable to the dishware device(e.g., mug 400, plate 100, etc.).

In one embodiment, the dishware or drinkware device (e.g., plate 100,bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer) can include an orientation sensor (e.g., gyro) that sensesthe orientation of the dishware or drinkware device, and communicateswith the electronic module 90, 490, 690 to control the operation of thedishware or drinkware device. For example, the gyro can sense when theplate 100, bowl or serving dish has been turned on its side or when themug 400, cup, water bottle, liquid container or travel mug 600 have beenturned upside down (e.g., when loading into a dishwasher) andcommunicates a signal to the electronic module 90, 490, 690 todiscontinue power to the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660,thereby turning the heating or cooling element off. However, othersuitable devices (e.g., sensors) other than a gyro can be used to sensethe orientation of the dishware, drinkware or serverware device, such asthe plate 100, mug 400, cup, water bottle, liquid container or travelmug 600. In another embodiment, the dishware or drinkware device (e.g.plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, waterbottle or liquid container) can have one or more accelerometer sensorswhich can sense changes in velocity or changes in motion or inorientation of the dishware or drinkware.

In one embodiment, the orientation (or tilt) sensor can sense when theplate 100, bowl or serving dish is tilted more than a certainpredetermined amount (e.g., more than 45°) from the horizontal axis, andthe electronic module 90 turns off power to the heating or coolingsystem 55 (e.g., to the heating or cooling element 60) and disables userinterface buttons (discussed further below) on the plate 100, bowl orserving dish. The plate 100, bowl or serving dish can then be insertedinto a dishwasher for cleaning. The user interface buttons can beenabled once the plate 100, bowl or serving dish is placed back on thecharging station, such as the charging stand 300.

In another embodiment, the orientation (or tilt) sensor can sense whenthe mug 400, cup, water bottle, liquid container or travel mug 600 istilted by more than a certain predetermined amount (e.g., more than135°) from the upright vertical axis, and the electronic module 490, 690turns off power to the heating or cooling system 455, 655 (e.g., to theheating or cooling element 460, 660) and disables user interface buttonsand sensors (such as liquid sensors or liquid level sensors, discussedfurther below) on the mug 400, cup, water bottle, liquid container ortravel mug 600. The mug 400, cup, water bottle, liquid container ortravel mug 600 can then be inserted into a dishwasher for cleaning. Theuser interface buttons can be enabled once the mug 400, cup, waterbottle, liquid container or travel mug 600 is returned to a right sideup orientation, and the mug 400, cup, water bottle, liquid container ortravel mug 600 can again be operated by selecting the “on” buttonthereon, or by placing the mug 400, cup, water bottle, liquid containeror travel mug 600 back on its associated charging stand 500, 700 andthereafter removing it, which resets the operation of the electronicmodule 490, 690.

Though the orientation or tilt sensor feature disclosed above may bedescribed in connection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, oneof skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, travel mug1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, andthe scope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover suchliquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Automatic Shut-Off

In one embodiment, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 of the plate 100,mug 400 or travel mug 600 (or bowl, serving dish, cup, water bottle orliquid container) can automatically turn off power to the heating orcooling element 60, 460, 660 (e.g., via the control circuitry 94, 494,694), when a predetermined level of the one or more electrical energystorage devices 80, 480, 680 (e.g., batteries) is detected. For example,if the charge or electrical energy storage level of the one or moreelectrical energy storage devices 80, 480, 680 is below a predeterminedpercentage of an amount corresponding to a full charge, the electronicmodule 90, 490, 690 can shut-off power to the heating or cooling element60, 460, 960 to inhibit damage to the electrical energy storage devices80, 480, 680 or other components of the plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug600 (or bowl, serving dish, cup, water bottle or liquid container). Inone embodiment, the predetermined power level of the electrical energystorage devices 80, 460, 660 below which power to the heating or coolingelement(s) 60, 460, 660 is shut off can be about 30%. However, in otherembodiments, the predetermined charge level can be higher or lower thanthis value (e.g., 20%).

Though the automatic shut-off feature disclosed above may be describedin connection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skillin the art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup, bottle, baby bottle and/or liquid container), includingthe plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beermug 1600, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200,tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

Timed Shut-Off

In another embodiment, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 of the plate100, mug 400 or travel mug 600 (or bowl, serving dish, water bottle orliquid container) can automatically turn off power to the heating orcooling element 60, 460, 660 (e.g., via the control circuitry 94, 494,694) after a predetermined period of time during which the heating orcooling element 60, 460, 660 has been operating (e.g., continuouslyoperating or intermittently operating). For example, in one embodiment,the predetermined period of time can be 3 hours. In another embodiment,the predetermined period of time can be 20 minutes. In still anotherembodiment, the predetermined period of time can be 5 hours. However,the predetermined period of time can be higher or lower than this.

Though the timed shut-off feature disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skill inthe art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, travel mug 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scopeof disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Operation Based on Food Detection

In one embodiment, the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can have a haveone or more sensors (such as sensors 820A-820D in FIG. 16) that sensewhen food has been placed on the plate, bowl or serving dish and sends asignal to the electronic module 90 (e.g., sends a signal to thecontroller circuit 94) to control the operation of the heating orcooling element 60 based at least in part on the signal. For example,the electronic module 90 can turn on the heating or cooling element 60upon receiving the signal that food has been placed on the plate 100,bowl or serving dish. In one embodiment, the sensor can be a weightsensor. In one embodiment, the sensor can be a pressure sensor. In oneembodiment, the sensor can be a liquid sensor. In one embodiment, thesensor can be a proximity sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor can bean optical sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor can be a near fieldsensor. In one embodiment, the sensor can sense a change in resonantfrequency when food is placed on the plate, bowl or serving dish. Forexample, a component of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can transmitor broadcast a signal at a standard frequency and the sensor can sense achange or shift in the frequency of the signal (e.g., ultrasound typedetection). In one embodiment, the frequency can be above or below aninductive coupling frequency (e.g., above or below about 100-120 kHz).For example, in one embodiment, the broadcast frequency of the signalcan be about 40-50 kHz. In an embodiment where the sensor is an opticalsensor, the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can act as an optical filterand the optical signal can be transmitted through the plate, bowl orserving dish. In such an embodiment, the sensor would sense a modulatedsignal, relative to the set optical signal, which would indicate thepresence of food on the plate 100. In another embodiment, the sensorcould be a temperature sensor (such as sensors 820A-820D in FIG. 16),which could detect a change in temperature (due to placement of food onthe plate 100, bowl or serving dish), to thereby sense the presence offood on the plate 100, bowl or serving dish. Any combination of theabove sensing techniques can be used to enhance the food detectioncapabilities of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish.

Similarly, the mug 400 or travel mug 600 (or cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer) can have a sensor, or combination of sensors such as thesensors discussed above, to sense when liquid is present within the mug400 or travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. In oneembodiment, when the mug 400 or travel mug 600 is removed from itsassociated charging station 500, 700 or inductive coupling power pad,the electronic module 490, 690 can place the mug 400 and travel mug 600in standby mode and activate the liquid sensor. In one embodiment, theliquid sensor can be located at a bottom inner surface of the mug 400 ortravel mug 600, or at a distance from the bottom surface of the mug 400or travel mug 600 (e.g., at ½ inch or 1 inch from the bottom along theinner side surface, though other locations are possible). Once liquid ispoured into the mug 400 or travel mug 600, the liquid sensor can sensethe liquid (e.g., via sensing of a change in temperature, weight,pressure, electrical conductivity, electrical continuity, electricalresistance between two conductors, change in frequency detection,optical sensor, or any combination of sensors above) and turn on theheating or cooling system 455, 655 (e.g., after liquid has been sensedfor a predetermined period of time, such as 2 seconds, or substantiallyinstantaneously if desired, such as within less than 0.1 sec or 0.1 msecof sensing. In one embodiment, the mug 400 or travel mug 600 can have avisual indicator or screen (e.g., digital screen) that can be activatedupon turning on of the heating or cooling system 455, 655 (e.g.,illustrating an illuminated logo, or temperature mode, or displaying thetemperature of the liquid, etc.). In another embodiment, the visualindicator can be an illuminated logo or icon or can be a simpleindicator light which tells the user that the heating or cooling system455, 655 has been activated. Once on, the mug 400 or travel mug 600 canoperate the heating or cooling element 460, 660 at a predetermined userselected temperature (e.g., the temperature selected by the user thelast time the mug 400 or travel mug 600 was used, or a new temperaturethat the user has selected). The user can change the power level settingor temperature setting via one or more buttons (e.g., soft touch, touchswitch, dial, push-button, touch pad, etc.) on a user interface of themug 400 or travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. Inanother embodiment, the power level or temperature setting can beadjusted using a dial, a switch, a gesture sensor, or any other type ofuser-interface mechanism in communication with the electronic module490, 690. In one embodiment, the user-interface display on the mug 400or travel mug 600 can warn a user if the liquid within the mug 400 ortravel mug 600 is too hot to consume or is above or below apredetermined temperature (e.g., the user's preferred or selectedtemperature).

The heating or cooling system 455 or 655 of the mug 400 or travel mug600 can be configured to turn off once the liquid sensor (or combinationof sensors) senses that the liquid inside the mug 400 or travel mug 600has been depleted to a predetermined level or depleted completely. Onceliquid is again poured into the mug 400 or travel mug 600 so that thesensor (or combination of sensors) senses the poured liquid, the mug 400or travel mug 600 can again be operated as described above.

Additionally, the mug 400 or travel mug 600 can have one or more liquidlevel sensors for detecting a liquid level in the mug 400 or travel mug600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. The one or more liquid levelsensors can be of the type discussed above (e.g., sensing a change intemperature, weight, pressure, electrical conductivity, electricalcontinuity, electrical resistance between two conductors, frequencydetection such as ultrasound frequency detection, change in frequency,optical sensor, or any combination above) and can communicate sensedinformation to the electronic module 490, 690, which can transmitinformation to one or more indicators (e.g., visual indicators oraudible indicator, such as a sound, or a vibration) on the mug 400 ortravel mug 600 to indicate to the user the amount of liquid left in themug 400 or travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container (orthat the liquid in the cup, mug, or travel mug is at, above, or below,the user preferred drinking temperature). In one embodiment, the liquidlevel sensor can be used in combination with the orientation sensor(e.g. gyro) so that the liquid level within the mug 400 or travel mug600 will only be taken when the mug 400 or travel mug 600 is in theupright position. This technique would advantageously avoid the improperreading of the liquid level when the user tilts the mug off of verticalaxis to take a drink. In one embodiment, the one or more liquid levelsensors can communicate signals to the electronic module 490, 690,allowing the electronic module 490, 690 to determine if the mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container has been tilted.Accordingly, the one or more liquid level sensors can operate asorientation sensors to sense an orientation of the mug 400, travel mug600, cup, water bottle or liquid container.

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, water bottle or liquid container (such as beer mug 1600, babybottle 1500) can have one or more liquid level sensors (e.g. ultrasoundsensors, as discussed above). In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle or liquidcontainer (such as beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500) can have a pluralityof liquid level sensors (e.g., disposed at various vertical locations ofthe sidewall, such as sidewall SW in FIG. 34A). In one embodiment, theone or more liquid level sensors can communicate liquid levelinformation to the electronic module (such as electronic module EM, seeFIG. 44), and the electronic module can operate the one or more heatingor cooling elements (e.g., see HC in FIG. 44) based at least in part onsaid sensed level information. For example, in one embodiment theelectronic module could turn on, turn off or adjust power to at leastone of the one or more heating or cooling elements based at least inpart on said sensed level information.

In one embodiment, where the one or more heating or cooling elements arearranged vertically on a sidewall (e.g., a panel embedded in thesidewall) of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,water bottle or liquid container (such as beer mug 1600, baby bottle1500), as discussed further below, the electronic module can turn offeach of the heating or cooling elements as the liquid level drops belowthe vertical location of said heating or cooling element (see FIGS.34A-34C). This can advantageously allow the efficient operation of theheating or cooling elements, as they are not operated once the liquidlevel has dropped below the location of the heating or cooling element.

In one embodiment, the liquid level sensing of a cup, mug, travel mug,baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, water bottle or liquid container can beachieved through sensed electrical characteristics of the heating orcooling elements (e.g. when a heating or cooling element is submergedbeneath a liquid level, or alternatively, exposed above a liquid level,the control circuitry can be configured to recognize the difference inthe electrical characteristics of the heating or cooling element inorder to determine if a heating or cooling element is below or above aliquid level). In this embodiment, the heating or cooling elements canbe used to determine a general liquid level within the cup, mug, travelmug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, water bottle or liquid container.This method of sensing is also advantageous for sensing if the liquid isnear or not near a heating or cooling element (e.g. if the user placeshis or her cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, waterbottle or liquid container on its side, or partially on its side, thecontrol circuitry can sense that the liquid is not in thermal contactwith said heating or cooling element, and can turn off or reduce powerto said heating or cooling element).

Though operation based on sensing the presence of food (solid or liquid)disclosed above may be described in connection with a plate 100, mug 400or travel mug 600, one of skill in the art will recognize that it canalso apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware(e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle1500, beer mug 1600, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure and theinvention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

Power Level Adjustment to Heating/Cooling Element Based on Food HeatAbsorption

In one embodiment, the plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600 (or bowl,serving dish, cup, water bottle or liquid container) can have atemperature sensor (such as the sensors 820A-820D in FIG. 16) incommunication with the electronic module 90, 490, 690 (e.g., incommunication with the control circuitry 94, 494, 694). The temperaturesensor can sense a temperature of food placed on the plate 100, bowl orserving dish or sense a temperature of a liquid poured into the mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. The temperaturesensor can be an infrared sensor, a thermistor, thermocouple, a diodetype sensor, a resistance temperature detector (RTD) sensor or any othersuitable type of temperature sensor.

With respect to the plate 100, bowl or serving dish, the sensor (such assensors 820A-820D of plate 800 in FIG. 16) can sense the temperature ofthe food placed on the plate 100, bowl or serving dish and communicatethe sensed temperature to the electronic module 90, which can thenmodulate power to the heating or cooling element 60 to vary (e.g.increase or decrease) the amount of energy provided by the heating orcooling element 60 to the plate, bowl or serving dish based on thedifference between the sensed temperature and a user selectedtemperature set point for the plate 100, bowl or serving dish. In oneembodiment, if when placed on the plate, bowl or serving dish the foodis above the user selected temperature set point, the electronic module90 can control the heating or cooling element 60 to not activate (or toshut-off if the heating or cooling element 60 has been in operation).This can advantageously extend the working time of the one or moreelectrical energy storage devices 80 (e.g., between charging events),which can allow the heating or cooling system 55 to have a longerworking time (e.g., between charging events of the one or moreelectrical energy storage devices 80). In another embodiment, theelectronic module 90 can control the operation of the heating or coolingelement 60 to actively decrease or increase the temperature of the foodtoward the user selected temperature set point. As the temperature ofthe food on the plate 100, bowl or serving dish decreases or increases,the electronic module 90 can control the operation of the heating orcooling element 60 (e.g., adjust the power level up or down to increaseor decrease the amount of energy provided by the heating or coolingelement 60) based at least in part on feedback to the electronic module90 from the food temperature sensor to provide energy to the food tomaintain the temperature of the food at the user selected temperatureset point, or within a given temperature range about the user selectedtemperature set point. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor can belocated on the food-receiving surface of the plate 100, bowl or servingdish generally at the center, or multiple sensors can be spread outacross the food-receiving surface of the plate, bowl or serving dish sothat an average temperature can be used (e.g., sensors 820A-820D onsurface S of plate 800 in FIG. 16, or sensors 920 on surface S of plate900 in FIG. 18). In another embodiment, discussed further below, wherethe plate 100, bowl or serving dish has a plurality of heating orcooling elements 60 (e.g., heating or cooling elements 860A-D in FIG.16, or heating or cooling elements 960 in FIG. 18) that provide energyto different sections (e.g., quadrants) of the plate 100, bowl orserving dish, a plurality of temperature sensors can be provided, eachtemperature sensor associated with one of said different sections of theplate 100, bowl or serving dish. In still another embodiment, thetemperature sensor can be located so that it is in communication withthe food receiving surface of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish evenif the sensor is not located on the food receiving surface (e.g., thesensor can be located on an underside of the heated portion of the plate100, bowl or serving dish).

With respect to the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer, the sensor can sense the temperature of the liquid pouredinto the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container,and communicate the sensed temperature to the electronic module 490,690, which can then modulate power to the heating or cooling element460, 660 to vary (e.g. increase or decrease) the amount of energyprovided by the heating or cooling element 460, 660 to the mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container based on thedifference between the sensed temperature and a user selectedtemperature set point for the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottleor liquid container. In one embodiment, if when poured into the mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container the liquid (e.g.,coffee, tea) is above the user selected temperature set point, theelectronic module 490, 690 can control the heating element 460, 660 tonot activate (or to shut-off if the heating element 460, 660 has been inoperation). This can advantageously extend the working time of the oneor more electrical energy storage devices 480, 680 (e.g., betweencharging events), which can allow the heating or cooling system 455, 655to have a longer working time (e.g., between charging events of the oneor more electrical energy storage devices 480, 680).

In another embodiment, the electronic module 490, 690 can control theoperation of the heating or cooling element 460, 660 to activelydecrease the temperature of the liquid toward the user selectedtemperature set point. As the temperature of the liquid in the mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container decreases, theelectronic module 490, 690 can control the operation of the heating orcooling element 460, 660 (e.g., adjust the power level up or down toincrease or decrease the amount of energy provided by the heating orcooling element 460, 660) based at least in part on feedback to theelectronic module 490, 690 from liquid temperature sensor to provideenergy to the liquid to maintain the temperature of the liquid at theuser selected temperature set point, or within a given temperature rangeabout the user selected temperature set point. In one embodiment, thetemperature sensor can be located on the liquid-receiving surface of themug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. Forexample, in one embodiment, the temperature sensor can be provided on aninner side surface of the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container a certain distance (e.g., one inch, or other distance)from a bottom surface. In another embodiment, the temperature sensor canbe provided on the bottom surface of the liquid-receiving portion of themug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. In stillanother embodiment, the temperature sensor can be located so that it isin communication with the liquid receiving surface of the mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container, even if thesensor is not located on the inner surface (e.g., sensor could belocated beneath the surface or integrated into the surface) of the mug400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container.

Though power level adjustment to the heating or cooling element 60, 460,660 based on heat absorption of the food item (solid or liquid)disclosed above may be described in connection with a plate 100, mug 400or travel mug 600, one of skill in the art will recognize that it canalso apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware(e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle1500, beer mug 1600, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure and theinvention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

Thermal Protector Switch

In one embodiment, the plate 100 (or bowl or serving dish), mug 400 andtravel mug 600 (or cup, water bottle or liquid container) can have athermal protection switch (e.g., as part of the controller circuit 94,494, 694). In use, if the temperature of the heating or cooling system55, 455, 655 (e.g., the temperature of the heating or cooling element60, 460, 660) of the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug600, cup, water bottle or liquid container rises above a predeterminedtemperature (e.g., a predetermined high temperature limit), the thermalprotection switch will open a circuit that electrically connects theelectronic module 90, 490, 690 and the heating or cooling element 60,460, 660, so that the heating or cooling element will turn off.

Though the thermal protection switch (or circuit) disclosed above may bedescribed in connection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, oneof skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, travel mug1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, andthe scope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover suchliquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Battery Maintenance

In one embodiment, where the one or more electrical energy storagedevices 80, 480, 680 are batteries, the plate 100, bowl, serving dish,mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container can havesmart battery functions to maximize the life of the one or morebatteries 80, 480, 680. For example, the electronic module 90, 490, 690can operate the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655 so that the oneor more batteries 80, 480, 680 are drained at certain intervals. In oneembodiment, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 (e.g., charging circuit96, 496, 696) can monitor cell balancing of the one or more batteries80, 480, 680 during operation, as well as the discharge rate of the oneor more batteries 80, 480, 680. The charging circuit 96, 496, 696 canalso monitor the one or more batteries 80, 480, 680 to determine if theyare all giving up energy generally equally, as well as that the batterylevel is not unsafe.

Additionally, the charging circuit 96, 496, 696 can control the chargingoperation of the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600,cup, water bottle or liquid container to ensure the one or morebatteries 80, 480, 680 are not overcharged and can discontinue thecharging process once battery charge reaches full capacity. In anotherembodiment, if a plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600,cup, water bottle or liquid container has been sitting on the chargingstation for a while without use and the battery level has decreased overtime, the charging circuit 96, 496, 696 can sense this drop off inbattery level and allow the one or more batteries 80, 480, 680 to becharged to reach a predetermined full charge level. The charging circuit96, 496, 696 can also sense a discharge rate for the one or morebatteries 80, 480, 680. If the discharge rate exceeds a rate that isacceptable or will cause long-term damage to the one or more batteries80, 480, 680, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 can provide a visualindication, audible indication, and/or reduce power to the heating orcooling element 60, 460, 660.

Though smart battery functions (e.g., maintenance) disclosed above maybe described in connection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600,one of skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to anyliquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, servingdish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600,travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer2300, and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Isolated Heating Areas

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a plate 800, bowl or serving dish.

The plate 800, bowl or serving dish is similar to the plate 100, 100′described above and includes the same components (with the samenumerical identifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′,except as noted below.

In one embodiment, the plate 800, bowl or serving dish can have aplurality of heating or cooling elements 860A-860D, each of the heatingor cooling elements 860A-860D associated with a particular section(e.g., quadrant, half, or other fraction) 810A-810D of the plate 800,bowl or serving dish (e.g., a section of a flat portion of the platewhere food is placed), isolated from each other, and being operated bythe electronic module 90 independently of the other heating or coolingelements 860A-860D based on input from the user (e.g., via a userinterface on the plate 800, bowl or serving dish, discussed furtherbelow). For example, the plurality of heating or cooling elements860A-860D could be arranged in a grid, where each of the heating orcooling elements 860A-860D can heat a section of the plate 800, bowl orserving dish associated with that portion of the grid. For example, theuser could turn on and off the heating or cooling element 860A-860D in aparticular area (e.g., quadrant) of the plate 800, bowl or serving dishvia a user interface, such as the user interface 830 of plate 800′ inFIG. 17. The plate 800′ is similar to the plate 100, 100′, 800 describedabove and includes the same components (with the same numericalidentifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′, 800, exceptas noted below. In one embodiment, the plate 800, 800′, bowl or servingdish could provide a visual indicator 830 of which sections (e.g.,quadrants) of the plate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dish have the heatingor cooling element 860A-860D turned on or off (or in cooling mode versusheating mode), described further below. Said visual indication could beprovided (e.g., on a rim or edge of the plate 800, 800′, bowl or servingdish, as shown in FIG. 17) via one or more light sources or visualindicators (e.g., electroluminescence, OLEDs, or any other type of flatlight emitter or slide light emitter, or edge lighting or a digitalscreen) in communication with the electronic module 90. In anotherembodiment, the sections of the plate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dishthat are being actively heated or cooled could be illuminated using oneor more light sources, such as those described above.

In one embodiment, one section 810A-810D of the plate 800, 800′, bowl orserving dish can have its associated heating or cooling element860A-860D turned on to heat the section of the plate 800, 800′, bowl orserving dish (e.g., where the section receives a hot food item, such assteak), and another section 810A-810D (e.g., quadrant, half) of theplate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dish could have its associated heatingor cooling element 860A-860D turned off where the section of the plate800, 800′, bowl or serving dish receives a cold food item, such assalad). As discussed above, the plate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dishcan have a plurality of temperature sensors 820A-820D for sensing atemperature of food placed on the plate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dish,where each (or a plurality) of the temperature sensors 820A-820D isassociated with one of said sections 810A-810D of the plate 800, 800′,bowl or serving dish. The temperature sensor 820A-820D can communicatethe sensed temperature to the electronic module 90 (e.g., to the controlcircuitry 94), and the electronic module 90 can determine whether a hot(e.g., steak) or cold (e.g., salad) food item is placed on theparticular section of the plate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dish based atleast in part on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor820A-820D in that section 810A-810D. The electronic module 90 can turnon the heating element 860A-860D associated with that section 810A-810Dif a hot food item has been placed thereon, or keep the heating element860A-860D off if a cold food item has been placed thereon. In anotherembodiment, the electronic module 90 can control at least one operatingparameter of the heating or cooling system 55 (e.g., of the one or moreheating or cooling elements 860A-860D) of the one or more plates 800,800′, bowl or serving dishes based at least in part on an average ofsensed temperature information from the plurality of temperature sensors820A-820D. For example, the one or more temperature sensors 820A-820Dassociated with a particular section 810A-810D of the plate 800, 800′,bowl or serving dish can communicate temperature information to theelectronic module 90, the control circuitry 94 can average the sensedtemperatures, and the electronic module can control operation of theheating or cooling element 860A-860D based at least in part on theaverage of the sensed temperatures (e.g., increase power to the heatingor cooling element 860A-860D if the average temperature is below theuser selected temperature set point or a range about said set point,maintain the same power to the heating or cooling element 860A-860D ifthe average temperature is within said range about the user selectedtemperature set point, or maintain power to the heating or coolingelement 860A-860D off if the average temperature is above said rangeabout the user selected temperature set point).

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of a plate 900, bowl or serving dish.The plate 900 is similar to the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′ describedabove and includes the same components (with the same numericalidentifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,except as noted below.

In one embodiment, the plate 900, bowl or serving dish can have aplurality of heating or cooling elements 960 that can be a plurality ofthermoelectric elements (e.g., Peltier elements), where each of thethermoelectric elements 960 is associated with a different section 910(e.g., quadrant, half, other fraction) of the plate 900, bowl or servingdish. The electronic module 90 can control power delivery to each of thethermoelectric elements 960, and the polarity to the thermoelectricelement to control whether the thermoelectric element 960 (e.g., Peltierelement) operates as a heating device or as a cooling device to heat orcool the particular section 910 of the plate 900, bowl or serving dishassociated with the thermoelectric element 960. As discussed above, eachof the sections 910 of the plate 900, bowl or serving dish can have aseparate temperature sensor 920 for sensing the temperature of the foodplaced on that section 910 of the plate 900, bowl or serving dish. Thetemperature information can be communicated to the electronic module 90,which can then operate the thermoelectric elements 960 to heat or coolthe particular section 910 of the plate 900, bowl or serving dish basedat least in part on the sensed temperature information. For example, ifa hot food item (e.g., steak) is placed on one or more sections 910 ofthe plate 900, bowl or serving dish, the electronic module 90 cancontrol the operation of the thermoelectric element 960 associated withthe one or more sections 910 to operate as a heating element to heat theone or more sections 910 of the plate 900, bowl or serving dish tomaintain the hot food item at a certain temperature (or within a rangeof a user selected temperature). Additionally, if a cold food item(e.g., salad) is placed on another section 910 of the plate 900, bowl orserving dish, the electronic module 90 can control the operation of theelectronic element 960 associated with that section 910 to operate as acooling element to cool the section 910 of the plate 900, bowl orserving dish to maintain the cold food item at a certain temperature(e.g., the initial sensed temperature of the cold food item). In anotherembodiment, a Peltier type cooling system can be used in combinationwith a heating system (e.g. one or more heating elements) so that all ora portion of the plate can be either heated or cooled. In anotherembodiment, the plurality of heating or cooling elements can be heatingelements.

Though the isolated heating areas disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 800, 800′, 900, one of skill in the art willrecognize that it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup, mug400, travel mug 600 and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600,travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer2300, and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, and/or liquid container can haveone or more heating or cooling elements (e.g., Peltier elements, heaterwire, etc.) HC, as discussed above, such as a plurality of heating orcooling elements HC. The one or more heating or cooling elements HC(e.g., multiple heating or cooling elements HC) can be arranged along oraround a side wall SW (e.g., incorporated into the side wall) of thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, and/or liquid container, as shown in FIGS. 34A-34C. Inone embodiment, the one or more heating or cooling elements HC can bearranged along or around a sidewall at two or more locations (e.g., havemultiple heating or cooling elements on two opposite sides, or wrappingaround the circumference) of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle orliquid container.

In one embodiment, as discussed above, the one or more heating orcooling elements HC (e.g., a plurality of heating or cooling elementsHC) can be operated independently of each other (e.g., each of theheating or cooling elements, such as Peltier elements, can be operatedto heat or cool depending on the selected mode of operation).

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid containercan have a plurality of thermoelectric elements along a side wall SW(such as shown in FIGS. 34A-34C). Control circuitry can be used to turnon or off the plurality of thermoelectric elements all together orindependently. The control circuitry can also reverse the polarity tothe thermoelectric elements all together or independently, so that thethermoelectric elements can be used to actively heat or actively coolthe liquid within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid containerdepending on the polarity of the power that is delivered to saidthermoelectric elements.

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid containercan have one thermoelectric element along a side wall SW. Controlcircuitry can be used to turn on or off the thermoelectric element. Thecontrol circuitry can also reverse the polarity to the thermoelectricelement, so that the thermoelectric element can be used to actively heator actively cool the liquid within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottleor liquid container depending on the polarity of the power that isdelivered to the said thermoelectric element.

In another embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquidcontainer can have one or more thermoelectric elements which can be usedto actively cool the liquid within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottleor liquid container, and one or more heating elements (e.g. heater wire)which can be used to actively heat the liquid within the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, water bottle or liquid container.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling elements HC can be operated(e.g., by the electronic module, such as the electronic module 690,2090, 2190 disclosed herein) to induce, promote, facilitate or generatea circulation of liquid flow C (i.e. convection currents) within thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container, so as to facilitate amore uniform (e.g., even, constant) temperature across the volume ofliquid. For example, the heating or cooling elements HC can beselectively operated to induce a counterclockwise flow C (i.e.convection current), as shown in FIG. 34A. In another embodiment, theheating or cooling elements HC can be selectively operated to induce aclockwise flow C (i.e. convection current), as shown in FIG. 34B.Advantageously, the circulation of liquid flow C or “waterfall effect”,where liquid circulates between the upper portion and the lower portionof the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, waterbottle or liquid container (e.g., beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500) cancause natural convection heat transfer within the cup, mug 400, travelmug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle or liquid container tothereby allow for more uniform heating or cooling of the liquid in thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle orliquid container. In one embodiment, said circulation of the liquidadvantageously results in the liquid in the bottom portion and theliquid in the top portion of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle or liquid container having substantiallythe same temperature (e.g., differ in temperature by less than 15degrees F., differ in temperature by less than 10 degrees F., differ intemperature by less than 5 degrees F., differ in temperature by lessthan 3 degrees F., differ in temperature by less than 1 deg. F) suchthat the liquid in the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, water bottle or liquid container has a substantially uniformtemperature.

In one embodiment, the circulation effect can be induced, promoted,facilitated or generated simply by the strategic location of the heatingor cooling element HC, or a plurality of heating or cooling elements HC.For example, in one embodiment, to actively cool the liquid within thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container, one or more coolingelements can be used (e.g. thermoelectric element), and can be locatednear a top level of the container, so that the liquid that is cooled bythe one or more cooling elements HC begins to drop which displaces thewarmer liquid that was at the bottom, which causes that warmer liquid tothen rise, and the cycle repeats, which advantageously establishes auniform liquid temperature within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottleor liquid container. In another example, in yet another embodiment, toactively cool the liquid within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle orliquid container, one or more cooling elements HC can be used (e.g.thermoelectric element), and can be located along a side wall of thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container, so that the liquid thatis cooled by the one or more cooling elements HC begins to drop alongthe side wall which displaces the warmer liquid that was at the bottom,which causes that warmer liquid to then rise, and the cycle repeats,which advantageously establishes a uniform liquid temperature within thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container. In yet another example,to actively heat the liquid within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottleor liquid container, one or more heating elements HC can be used (e.g.thermoelectric element, heater wire, etc.), and can be located near abase of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container, so thatthe liquid that is heated by the one or more heating elements HC beginsto rise to the top which displaces the cooler liquid that was at thetop, which causes that cooler liquid to then fall, and the cyclerepeats, which advantageously establishes a uniform liquid temperaturewithin the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container. In yetanother example, to actively heat the liquid within the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, water bottle or liquid container, one or more heating elements HCcan be used (e.g. thermoelectric element, heater wire, etc.), and can belocated along a side wall or around a side wall, near the bottom portionof the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container, so thatthe liquid that is heated by the one or more heating elements begins torise to the top which displaces the cooler liquid that was at the top,which causes that cooler liquid to then fall, and the cycle repeats,which advantageously establishes a uniform liquid temperature within thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container.

In one embodiment, the circulation effect can be induced, promoted,facilitated or generated by operating one or more of a plurality ofheating or cooling elements HC. For example, in one embodiment, thecirculation C can be induced, promoted, facilitated or generated byoperating one of the plurality of heating or cooling elements HC (e.g.,located in the top portion of the cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle,beer mug, water bottle or liquid container). In another embodiment, thecirculation can be induced, promoted, facilitated or generated byoperating two of the plurality of heating or cooling elements HC (e.g.,located in the top portion of the cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle,beer mug, water bottle or liquid container). In still anotherembodiment, the circulation can be induced, promoted, facilitated orgenerated by operating more than two of the plurality of heating orcooling elements HC (e.g., located in the top portion of the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, water bottle or liquid container. In one embodiment, the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, water bottle or liquid container can have four heating and coolingelements HC (e.g., in a panel disposed on or incorporated in a side wallof the cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquid container), such asshown in FIGS. 34A-34C. However, in other embodiments, the cup, mug,travel mug, water bottle or liquid container can have fewer than four ormore than four heating or cooling elements HC. In one embodiment, theone or more heating or cooling elements HC are preferably arranged onthe cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container and/or operated ina manner that such circulation of fluid is induced, promoted facilitatedor generated.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling elements HC can be spaced fromeach other (e.g., vertically spaced) along the sidewall of the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, water bottle or liquid container. In another embodiment, theheating or cooling elements HC can be adjacent each other. In stillanother embodiment, each of the heating or cooling elements HC can be incontact with at least one adjacent heating and cooling element. In oneembodiment, the heating or cooling elements HC can be arranged in apanel (e.g., a panel of Peltier elements) or a cluster (e.g. a clusterof Peltier elements).

In one embodiment, the electronic module of the cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, waterbottle or liquid container can operate the one or more heating andcooling elements HC (e.g., Peltier elements, resistive coil heaters) toinduce, promote, facilitate or generate said circulation flow C based atleast in part on the sensed liquid level information sensed by the oneor more liquid level sensors (e.g., ultrasound sensors) as discussedabove (and as discussed further with respect to FIG. 44 herein). Forexample, where the electronic module (such as the electronic module 490,690, 2090, 2190, EM) operates two or more heating or cooling elements HCin an upper portion of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, water bottle or liquid container (e.g., beer mug 1600, babybottle 1500) to generate said circulation of flow C (e.g., even if thereare more than two heating or cooling elements HC in the sidewall SW ofthe cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottleor liquid container), as the liquid level drops below the first HC1 ofthe two or more heating and cooling elements HC, the electronic modulecan turn said first heating and cooling element HC1 off. Optionally, theelectronic module can also turn on, activate, or power on anotherheating or cooling element HC2 below the second of the two heating andcooling elements HC so that there remain two or more heating and coolingelements HC in operation to effect said circulation flow.

FIG. 34E shows one embodiment of a liquid container LC (e.g., a cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, water bottle). The liquid container can have one or more powerstorage elements PS (e.g., batteries), an electronic module EM and oneor more heating or cooling elements HC, as described in embodimentsherein. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid container LC can havea cooling element HC3 that can be in thermal communication with at leasta portion (e.g., one side) of a circumferential side wall SW thatdefines the liquid holding chamber (e.g., along at least a portion ofthe height of the holding chamber) and can have a heating element HC4 inthermal communication with at least another portion (e.g., an oppositeside) of the circumferential wall SW. In the illustrated embodiment, thecooling element HC3 can have a greater height than the heating elementHC4. In another embodiment, the height of the heating element andcooling element can be the same. In another embodiment the heatingelement can have a greater height than the cooling element. The liquidcontainer LC can have a sensor LS disposed at the bottom of the liquidholding chamber. In one embodiment, the sensor LS can be a liquid levelsensor, such as an ultrasound sensor. In other embodiments, the liquidlevel sensor can be other types of sensors discloses herein. In stillother embodiments, the sensor LS can be a liquid quality sensor (e.g.,pH sensor), a temperature sensor, a tilt sensor, etc., as describedherein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling element HC3 is operated(e.g., by the electronic module EM) to cool at least a portion of thewall SW it is in thermal communication with, while the heating elementHC4 is operated to heat at least a portion of the wall SW it is inthermal communication with. In one embodiment, the cooling element HC3is optionally operated at a higher power level than the heating elementHC4. Advantageously, operation of the heating and cooling elements HC3,HC4 induces, promotes, facilitates or generates the circulation C of theliquid within the chamber. In one embodiment, the one or more coolingelements on one side of the liquid container can induce a liquid fallingeffect (the coldest liquid within a body of liquid will sink) along thatside SW of the liquid container. On the opposite side wall, one or moreheating elements can induce a liquid rising effect (the hottest liquidwithin a body of liquid will rise). The falling of liquid down one sideof the liquid container and the rising of the liquid along the oppositeside of the liquid container can induce a circulation effect,advantageously circulating the liquid within the liquid container. Thiscirculation effect can be used to stir or mix the liquid within theliquid container for the sake of discouraging more buoyant particlesfrom separating from less buoyant particles, or the circulation effectcan be used to keep the temperature of the liquid within the liquidcontainer substantially uniform.

FIG. 34F shows another embodiment of a liquid container LC2 (e.g., acup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle) that is similar to the liquid container LCexcept as described below. The liquid container LC2 has one or more(e.g., multiple) heating or cooling elements HC in thermal communicationwith at least a portion of the circumferential side wall SW of theliquid holding chamber, and a heating or cooling element HC4 in thermalcommunication with another portion (e.g., an opposite side) of the sidewall SW.

In the illustrated embodiment, a cooling element HC5 of the one or moreheating or cooling elements HC is operated (e.g., by the electronicmodule EM) to cool the portion of the side wall SW it is in thermalcommunication with, while the heating element HC4 is operated to heatthe portion of the wall SW it is in thermal communication with. At leasta portion of the cooling element HC5 is disposed below liquid level. Asthe liquid level drops (e.g., due to consumption of the liquid by theuser), the heating and cooling elements HC are operated (e.g., by theelectronic module EM based at least in part on the sensed liquid levelsensed by the liquid level sensor LS) so that only one or more coolingelements HC5 at least partially below the liquid level or in thermalcommunication with the liquid, are operated. Advantageously, operationof the heating and cooling elements HC5, HC4 induces, promotes,facilitates or generates the circulation C of the liquid within thechamber.

FIG. 34G shows another embodiment of a liquid container LC3 (e.g., acup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle) that is similar to the liquid container LCexcept as described below. The liquid container LC3 can have a coolingelement HC3 that can be in thermal communication with at least a portion(e.g., one side) of a circumferential side wall SW that defines theliquid holding chamber (e.g., along at least portion of the height ofthe holding chamber). Unlike the liquid container LC, the liquidcontainer LC3 does not have another heating or cooling element onanother portion (e.g., on an opposite side) of the holding chamber.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling element HC3 is operated(e.g., by the electronic module EM) to cool the portion of the wall SWit is in thermal communication with. As shown in FIG. 34G, the coolingelement HC3 can remain in operation regardless of the change in liquidlevel, so that operation of the cooling element HC3 in this embodimentdoes not depend on the sensed liquid level. The orientation andplacement of the cooling element HC3 along a sidewall of the liquidcontainer can induce a liquid falling effect down that side of theliquid container and can induce, promote, facilitate or generate thecirculation C of the liquid within the chamber.

FIG. 34H shows another embodiment of a liquid container LC4 (e.g., acup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle) that is similar to the liquid container LC2except as described below. The liquid container LC4 has one or more(e.g., multiple) cooling elements HC in thermal communication with atleast a portion of the circumferential side wall SW of the liquidholding chamber. Unlike the liquid container LC2, the liquid containerLC4 does not have a heating element on another portion (e.g., on anopposite side) of the holding chamber.

In the illustrated embodiment, a cooling element HC5 of the one or morecooling elements HC is operated (e.g., by the electronic module EM) tocool the portion of the side wall SW it is in thermal communicationwith. At least a portion of the cooling element HC5 is disposed belowliquid level. As the liquid level drops (e.g., due to consumption of theliquid by the user), the cooling elements HC are operated (e.g., by theelectronic module EM based at least in part on the sensed liquid levelsensed by the liquid level sensor LS) so that only one or more coolingelements HC5 at least partially below the liquid level or in thermalcommunication with the liquid, are operated. Advantageously, operationof the cooling element HC5 induces, promotes, facilitates or generatesthe circulation C of the liquid within the chamber.

FIG. 34I shows another embodiment of a liquid container LC5 (e.g., acup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle). The liquid container LC5 can include aliquid holding chamber H with thermally conductive walls SW′. The liquidcontainer LC5 can also have a heating or cooling element HC6 in thermalcommunication with at least a portion of the liquid holding chamber H.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heating and cooling element HC6 isoperated (e.g., by the electronic module EM) to cool the liquid holdingchamber H about the periphery of the liquid holding chamber H, whichadvantageously induces, promotes, facilitates or generates thecirculation C of the liquid within the chamber as shown. In theillustrated embodiment, the liquid level sensor can optionally beexcluded, and the heating and cooling element HC can be operatedindependent of the liquid level in the chamber. In another embodiment,only a portion of the sidewall SW′ of the liquid holding chamber H isthermally conductive (e.g. thermally conductive bands or belts can wraparound the outer circumference of the liquid holding chamber H, or inanother example, certain areas of the liquid holding chamber H can bethermally conductive and other areas may not be). In one embodiment, acooling element HC6 can be operated to cool at least a portion of theside walls SW′ around the perimeter of a liquid chamber and can lowerthe temperature of the liquid nearest to the side walls. In thisembodiment the liquid along the side walls becomes colder than thatliquid in the remaining body of liquid and will fall in a downwardsdirection along the sidewall of the liquid holding chamber H. This canadvantageously induce a circulation effect, circulating the liquidwithin the liquid container LC5. This circulation effect can be used tostir or mix the liquid within the liquid container for the sake ofdiscouraging more buoyant particles from separating from less buoyantparticles, or the circulation effect can be used to keep the temperatureof the liquid within the liquid container LC5 substantially uniform. Inanother embodiment (not shown in the illustration), one or more heatingelements can be added to the above embodiment and can be in thermalcontact with a base or a bottom of the liquid holding chamber H. In thisembodiment, the heating element can be operated to heat at least aportion of the liquid near the center of the liquid chamber, at thebase, so that it can further support the rise of hotter liquid up thecenter of the body of liquid (this would further strengthen thecirculation effect).

FIG. 34J shows another embodiment of a liquid container LC6 (e.g., acup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle) that is similar to the liquid container LC7except as described below. The liquid container LC6 has one or more(e.g., multiple) heating elements HC in thermal communication with atleast a portion of the circumferential side wall SW of the liquidholding chamber. Unlike the liquid container LC7, the liquid containerLC6 operates all heating elements HC7 that are at least partially belowthe liquid level or in thermal contact with the liquid in the holdingchamber. As the liquid level drops, the number of heating elements HC8that are operated drops.

In the illustrated embodiment, heating elements HC7, HC8 of the one ormore heating elements HC are operated (e.g., by the electronic moduleEM) to heat the portion of the side wall SW they are in thermalcommunication with. Advantageously, operation of the heating elementHC7, HC8 induces, promotes, facilitates or generates the circulation Cof the liquid within the chamber as shown.

FIG. 34K shows the liquid container LC3 (e.g., a cup, mug 400, travelmug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, waterbottle). In this embodiment, the heating element HC3 that is in thermalcommunication with at least a portion (e.g., one side) of acircumferential wall SW that defines the liquid holding chamber (e.g.,along at least portion of the height of the holding chamber) is operated(e.g., by the electronic module EM) to heat the portion of the side wallSW it is in thermal communication with. As shown in FIG. 34K, theheating element HC3 can remain in operation regardless of the change inliquid level, so that operation of the heating element HC3 in thisembodiment does not depend on the sensed liquid level. Advantageously,operation of the heating elements HC3 induces, promotes, facilitates orgenerates the circulation C of the liquid within the chamber.

FIG. 34L shows another embodiment of a liquid container LC7 (e.g., acup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, water bottle) that is similar to the liquid container LC4except as described below. The liquid container LC7 has one or more(e.g., multiple) heating elements HC in thermal communication with atleast a portion of the circumferential side wall SW of the liquidholding chamber.

In the illustrated embodiment, a heating element HC9 of the one or moreheating elements HC is operated (e.g., by the electronic module EM) toheat the portion of the side wall SW it is in thermal communicationwith. As shown in FIG. 34L, the heating element HC9 is proximate thebottom the holding chamber of the liquid container LC7 and operation ofthe heating element HC9 does not change with the change in liquid level.Advantageously, operation of the heating element HC9 induces, promotes,facilitates or generates the circulation C of the liquid within thechamber.

FIG. 34M shows the liquid container LC6 (e.g., a cup, mug 400, travelmug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, waterbottle) operating in cooling mode. The liquid container LC6 operates allcooling elements HC7 that are at least partially below the liquid levelor in thermal contact with the liquid in the holding chamber. As theliquid level drops, the number of heating and cooling elements HC8 thatare operated drops.

In one embodiment, circulation or mixing of the liquid within a cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, water bottle or liquid container can be accomplished using kineticmovement such as a diaphragm that moves in and out, similar to the coneof an audio speaker (e.g., a diaphragm attached to, embedded in orotherwise incorporated into the body, such as sidewall, of thecontainer). In another embodiment, circulation or mixing of the liquidwithin a cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container can beaccomplished using sound waves or sound vibrations (e.g. a small speakeror piezoelectric speaker mounted to a surface of the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, water bottle or liquid container). In another embodiment,circulation or mixing of the liquid within a cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, waterbottle or liquid container can be accomplished using kinetic movementsuch as a piston or shaft that moves in and out, causing a disruption ofthe liquid and therefore mixing the liquid. In another embodiment,circulation or mixing of the liquid within a cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, waterbottle or liquid container can be accomplished using kinetic movementsuch as one or more rotating mixer blades or arms (e.g., attached to orotherwise incorporated into the body of the container). In suchembodiments, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer can have a single heating or cooling element (e.g., a singlethermoelectric element), which can optionally be disposed in a bottomportion (e.g., base portion) thereof, and the mechanical or kinetic oracoustic mixing mechanism can be operated (e.g., by the control unit orelectronics module) to circulate or mix the liquid within the liquidreceiving portion so that the temperature of the liquid volume isgenerally uniform.

In another embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle orliquid container can have one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,thermoelectric element), such as the heating or cooling elements HC, 60,460, 1660 along a side wall SW that moves along at least a portion ofthe length of the sidewall SW as the liquid level changes. In oneembodiment, the one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,thermoelectric element) can be mounted on a track attached to a surface(e.g., inner surface, outer surface) of the liquid receiving portion.The one or more heating or cooling elements can be attached to a floatmember that floats on the liquid level, such that the one or moreheating or cooling elements remain at least partially submerged underthe liquid line, and as the user drinks the liquid and the liquid leveldrops, the one or more heating or cooling elements will move (e.g.,downward) along the side wall SW so that it remains at least partiallysubmerged under the liquid level line. In one embodiment, the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, carafe, water bottle or liquid container has at least one heatingor cooling element (e.g., thermoelectric element) that moves along theside wall SW (e.g., riding on a track), as discussed above, and can bemoved using electromagnets, or a motor or can be manually moved alongthe track. Where the heating or cooling element is a thermoelectricelement, control circuitry can be used to turn on or off thethermoelectric element. The control circuitry can also reverse thepolarity to the thermoelectric element, so that the thermoelectricelement can be used to actively heat or actively cool the liquid withinthe cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle1500, beer mug 1600, water bottle or liquid container depending on thepolarity of the power that is delivered to the said thermoelectricelement.

In another embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle orliquid container can have one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,thermoelectric element, heater coil, etc.), such as the heating orcooling elements HC, 60, 460, 1660 operatively coupled to one or moreheat pipes that direct thermal energy to or from one or more portions ofthe liquid receiving portion of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottleor liquid container. For example, one heat pipe can direct thermalenergy to or from a base portion, another heat pipe can direct thermalenergy to or from a middle portion and another heat pipe can directthermal energy to or from a top portion of the cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe,water bottle or liquid container. In one embodiment, a valve member(e.g., an electromagnetic assembly) can be actuated to direct thermalenergy to or from the heating or cooling element to or from a particularheat pipe or heat pipes to thereby direct thermal energy to or from adesired portion of the liquid receiving portion. In one embodiment, thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle or liquid container can have one ormore heating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric element, heatercoil, etc.) selectively thermally connected to one or more heat pipes,as discussed above. For example, actuation of the valve can thermallyconnect the heating or cooling element to a particular heat pipe anddeactivation of the valve can thermally disconnect the heating orcooling element from said heat pipe. In one embodiment, the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, carafe, water bottle or liquid container can have one or moreheating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric element, heater coil,etc.) thermally connected to one or more heat pipes that direct thermalenergy to or from one or more portions of the liquid receiving portionof the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle or liquid container.Where the heating or cooling element is a thermoelectric element,control circuitry can be used to turn on or off the thermoelectricelement. The control circuitry can also reverse the polarity to thethermoelectric element, so that the thermoelectric element can be usedto actively heat or actively cool the liquid within the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, water bottle or liquid container depending on the polarity of thepower that is delivered to the said thermoelectric element.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection witha travel mug, mug, cup, water bottle or liquid container (such as themug 400, and travel mug 600), one of skill in the art will recognizethat this embodiment can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/orliquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100,1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. andthe scope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover suchliquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Generation of Electricity with Heating or Cooling Elements

In one embodiment, one or more of the heating or cooling elements HC cangenerate electricity that can be used (e.g., by the electronic module,such as the electronic module 490, 690, 2090, 2190, EM) to charge theone or more power storage devices (e.g., the power storage devices 480,680, 2080, 2180, PS). In another embodiment, one or more thermoelectricelements within a cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container (such asthose disclosed in embodiments herein) can receive heat energy from hotliquid that has been poured into said cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquidcontainer and the heat energy can be converted to electricity. Thiselectricity can be used to recharge one or more power storage elementsPS or can be used to directly power a specific feature (such as athermostat or a Bluetooth radio, or WiFi radio, or indicator lights, oran indicator display which displays the temperature of the liquid, orany of the features described within this specification). In anotherembodiment, one or more thermoelectric elements within a cup, mug 400,bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, waterbottle or liquid container can receive heat energy from hot liquid thathas been poured into said cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container andthe heat energy can be converted to electricity. The control circuitrywithin said cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container can direct suchelectricity to charge the one or more power storage devices (e.g., powerstorage elements PS, batteries, capacitors) disclosed herein, which canadvantageously prolong the working period of the cup, mug 400, bowl B,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, water bottleor liquid container (e.g., maintain the liquid at the predetermined orpreselected temperature or temperature range for a longer period oftime).

In another embodiment, the control circuitry within the cup, mug 400,bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, waterbottle or liquid container can activate one or more of a plurality ofthermoelectric elements (such as those disclosed herein, for example HC)in order to actively heat or cool the liquid within the cup, mug 400,bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, waterbottle or liquid container. In this embodiment, the one or morethermoelectric elements that are not in use (i.e. not powered up toactively heat or cool the liquid) can be used to generate electricity(e.g. from the heat energy of the liquid) and can be used to charge theone or more power storage elements (e.g., power storage elements PS,batteries, capacitors). In another embodiment, the electricity generatedby the not-in-use thermoelectric elements can be used to directly orindirectly direct power to the one or more thermoelectric elements thatare in use (i.e. powered up to actively heat or cool the liquid).

In another embodiment, the control circuitry within the cup, mug 400,bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, waterbottle or liquid container can activate one or more of a plurality ofthermoelectric elements in order to actively heat the liquid within thecup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container. In this embodiment, ifthe liquid that is poured into the cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquidcontainer is a higher temperature than the user-selected orfactory-selected temperature set point, the one or more thermoelectricelements can be used to generate electricity (to charge the one or morepower storage elements, such as PS) until the point in which theuser-selected or factory-selected liquid temperature has been reached.At this point, the one or more thermoelectric elements can be utilizedby the control circuitry in order to maintain said liquid temperature(i.e. be powered up to emit heat and be controlled by the controlcircuitry). This embodiment uses the thermoelectric elements both togenerate electricity and also to actively heat the liquid within thecup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container, and the dual purpose useof said thermoelectric elements is controlled by the control circuitry.This configuration advantageously takes advantage of the hot liquid inthe cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container in order to generateelectricity while the liquid is too hot. This allows the one or morepower storage elements to be charged or receive additional charging, sothat the duration of time that the liquid can be kept at the temperatureset point is prolonged.

In another embodiment, one or more thermoelectric generators can be usedindependent of the heating or cooling elements HC, and can be used togenerate electricity to charge one or more energy storage devices withina cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container.

In another embodiment, the cup, mug, bowl, travel mug, baby bottle,water bottle or liquid container can have a port in which an externalelectronic device (e.g., mobile phone, radio, fitness monitoring device,PDA) can be connected, and the electricity generated from thethermoelectric elements can be used to power or charge said externalelectronic device. In a similar embodiment, wireless power can be used(as opposed to a port) to electrically connect an external electronicdevice (e.g. mobile phone, radio, fitness monitoring device, PDA) sothat the external electronic device can receive power from the cup, mug400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,water bottle or liquid container.

In another embodiment, there need not be an electricity generator withinthe cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container. A port or wireless powertransmitter within the cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container canbe used to transmit power to an external electronic device (e.g. mobilephone, radio, fitness monitoring device, PDA) in order to power orcharge said external electronic device. The one or more power storageelements (e.g. power storage elements PS, batteries or capacitors)within the cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container can be used toprovide the electricity that is used to transmit to said externalelectronic device.

Though the generation of electricity with the heating or coolingelements HC disclosed above may be described in connection with a mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle or liquidcontainer (such as a beer mug 1600 or baby bottle 1500), one of skill inthe art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, bread basket2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure and theinvention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

Chilled Drinkware (e.g., Beer Mug)

FIG. 34D shows one embodiment of chilled drinkware 1600. In theillustrated embodiment, the chilled drinkware 1600 can be a beer mug1600. The beer mug 1600 can have a body 1612 with a circumferential wall1612 a, an inner side surface 1612 b, a handle 1614 and a base 1620having a top surface 1620 a, where the inner side surface 1612 b and topsurface 1620 a define a cavity 1618 that can hold a liquid (e.g., beer,soft drink, water). The beer mug 1600 can have a cooling system 1655which can be disposed (e.g., embedded) in a cavity 1650 a between thecircumferential wall 1612 a and the inner side surface 1612 b. Thecooling system 1655 can include one or more cooling elements 1660 (e.g.Peltier elements) disposed against an outer surface of the inner sidesurface 1612 b so as to cool said inner side surface 1612 b and therebycool the liquid in the cavity 1618, an insulative member 1670, one ormore energy storage devices 1680 and an electronic module 1690, andthese components can be arranged and connected in the same mannerdescribed above in connection with the heated or cooled plate 100, mug400, or travel mug 600. In one embodiment, one or more heat sinks can bethermally attached to the one or more cooling elements 1660 (heat sinksnot shown). In another embodiment, an active cooling system (e.g. fan,diaphragm cooler, etc.) can be used to actively cool said heat sinks(not shown). In another embodiment, the insulative member 1670 can beexcluded. In another embodiment, the one or more power storage devicesor elements 1680 can be excluded.

The electronic module 1690 can be attached to a top surface 1644 of abottom member 1640 of the mug 1600 and include one or more of a wirelesspower receiver 1692, control circuitry 1694 (e.g., controller circuit,microcontroller, etc.) and optionally a charger 1696 (e.g., chargingcircuit) for charging the one or more energy storage devices 1680 inembodiments where the mug 1600 includes the energy storage devices 1680.The electronic module 1690 can include a MCU with capacitive sensing andgraphic control features. The control circuitry 1694 can operate tomanage the power delivered to the one or more cooling elements 1660,which in one embodiment can be controlled independently of each other asdiscussed herein. The control circuitry 1694 can also be used to managethe charging of the one or more energy storage devices 1680. In oneembodiment, the wireless power receiver 1692 is electrically connectedto the battery charger 1696, which is electrically connected to theenergy storage devices 1680 that in turn are electrically connected tothe cooling element 1660. In another embodiment, where energy storagedevices 1680 are excluded (as discussed above), the wireless powerreceiver 1692 can be electrically connected to the cooling elements 1660(and can be controlled by control circuitry to maintain a specifictemperature set point). In one embodiment, the cooling system 1655 iscompletely disposed in the body 1612 so that no part of the system 1655is visible (i.e., the mug 1600 looks like a conventional mug). Inanother embodiment, the cooling system 1655 can be housed in a modulethat is removably attachable to the mug 1600. In another embodiment, aportion of the cooling system can be disposed in the body and a portionof the cooling system can be disposed outside the body (e.g. heat sink,etc.).

As discussed herein, the wireless power receiver 1692 can receive powerfrom a wireless power transmitter (e.g., in a charging base on which themug is placed, in a table, bar, counter or desk that incorporates awireless power transmitter, etc.). Where a charging base is used, in oneembodiment at least a portion of the charging base can extend into thebottom of the mug 1600 or be proximate the bottom surface of the mug1600.

In one embodiment, the bottom member 1640 can be removably attached tothe mug 1600 to allow access to the cooling system 1655 in the cavity1650 a. For example, the bottom member 1640 can be mechanically coupledto the mug 1600 (e.g., with screws, a threaded interface between thebottom member 1640 and mug 1600, a press-fit connection). The bottommember 1640 can be removed to allow the replacing of the one or moreenergy storage devices 1680 and the servicing of the cooling system1655. In one embodiment, the bottom member 1640 can be a water resistantlid that can be removably attachable (e.g., threaded on or screwed) tothe mug 1600, cup, water bottle or liquid container for accessing thecooling system 1655. In another embodiment, the bottom member 1640 canbe a water resistant lid that can be removably attachable (e.g.,threaded on or screwed) to the mug 1600 for accessing the one or moreenergy storage devices 1680. In yet another embodiment, the energystorage devices 1680 can be in a pack that is attached (e.g., threaded,snap fit, screwed down) onto the bottom of the mug 1600, where thepack's electrical contacts connect with a set of electrical contacts onthe bottom of the mug 1600.

In another embodiment, the mug 1600 can include one or more corrosionresistant electrical contacts (not shown) on an outer surface of the mug1600, such as a bottom surface 1642 of the bottom portion 1640 of themug 1600, where the electrical contacts are sized and shaped to contactcorresponding electrical contacts (not shown) (e.g., on a charging basewhen the mug 1600 is placed on the charging base). In one embodiment,the electrical contacts of the mug 1600 can protrude from a surface ofthe mug 1600, such as electrical posts. In another embodiment, theelectrical contacts of the mug 1600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer can be one or more contact pads (not shown) on the bottomsurface 1642 of the bottom portion 1640 of the mug 1600, cup, waterbottle or liquid container that can contact corresponding contact pads(not shown) on the charging base. However, the electrical contacts onthe mug 1600 and associated charging base can have other suitableconfigurations.

The mug 1600 can operate in a similar manner as discussed above inconnection with the mug 400 or travel mug 600. In one embodiment, wherethe mug 1600 has power storage devices 1680, the electronic module 1690can store energy received (wirelessly via the wireless power receiver1692, or via a direct electrical connection as discussed above) in thepower storage devices 1680 for powering the one or more cooling elements1660. In another embodiment, where power storage devices 1680 areexcluded, said received energy or power can be directed to the coolingelements 1660.

As discussed herein, the active cooling systems described in embodimentsabove can be incorporated into chilled drinkware, such as a beer mug1600. The active cooling system 1655 can include one or more coolingelements 1660 (e.g., Peltier elements) on a wall 1612 b (e.g., sidewall)of the beer mug body 1612 that can cool a liquid in the receiving cavity1618 of the mug. In some embodiments, the mug 1600 can include one ormore power storage elements 1680 that can supply power to the one ormore cooling elements 1660. The mug 1600 can optionally include awireless power receiver 1692 that can wirelessly receive power from apower source, as discussed in the embodiments herein, and controlcircuitry 1694 that can operate the one or more cooling elements 1660,and charge the one or more power storage elements 1680. The mug 1600 canalso incorporate all of the sensors discussed herein (e.g., liquid levelsensors, temperature sensors, tilt sensors). The one or more coolingelements 1660 can be operated in unison or individually and independentof each other, as described herein (e.g., to induce circulation ofliquid flow, to maintain the liquid at a predetermined or preselectedtemperature or temperature range). In one embodiment, the one or morecooling elements 1660 can be operated to maintain the liquid in the mugat 60 degrees F. or less. In another embodiment, the one or more coolingelements 1660 can be operated to maintain the liquid in the mug at 50degrees F. or less, such as about 45 degrees F. In another embodiment,the one or more cooling elements 1660 can be operated to maintain theliquid in the mug at 40 degrees F. or less. In one embodiment, the beermug 1600 can have a user interface, which can allow the user to turn onor off the cooling system or set a specific liquid temperature set pointor mode of cooling operation (e.g., High, Medium, Low), or set anapproximate liquid temperature set point. In another embodiment, thebeer mug can be controlled via wireless remote or via mobile electronicdevice (e.g. mobile phone or tablet).

Though the chilled drinkware disclosed above may be described inconnection with a beer mug 1600, one of skill in the art will recognizethat it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware orserverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, and the scope of disclosure and theinvention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

Wireless Power Transmitter

As discussed in the embodiments herein, the cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle or liquid container (e.g.,chilled drinkware, such as beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500) can have anactive heating or cooling system. In one embodiment, the heating orcooling system can include a wireless power receiver that receives power(e.g., via induction) from a power source and uses it to store energy inone or more power storage devices PS (see FIG. 44), which can thenprovide power to one or more heating or cooling elements HC (e.g., theelements can be operated to provide both heating and cooling). Inanother embodiment, the heating or cooling system can exclude powerstorage devices PS and power is transmitted from the wireless powerreceiver to the one or more heating or cooling elements HC (or can betransmitted to the electronics module EM which can control the powerflow to the heating or cooling elements HC).

In one embodiment, the power source can be one or more wireless powertransmitters 1800 (e.g., and inductive power pad) that can be attachedto, coupled to, embedded in, or otherwise incorporated into a table top,counter top, bar top, desk top or any other support surface 1850. Inuse, as shown in FIGS. 38A-38F, the user can place the actively heatedor cooled bowl B, plate 100, 100′, 100″, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300,1400, cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, waterbottle or liquid container (e.g., chilled drinkware such as a beer mug1600, baby bottle 1500) on said table top, counter top, bar top, desktop or support surface 1850 and the wireless power transmitter 1800therein can provide wireless power to the wireless power receiver inactively heated or cooled bowl B, plate 100, 100′, 100″, 800, 800′, 900,1100, 1300, 1400, cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,water bottle or liquid container (e.g., chilled drinkware such as a beermug 1600, baby bottle 1500). As discussed above, where the heating orcooling system includes one or more power storage devices, saidtransmitted wireless power can be used to store energy in the one ormore power storage devices (e.g., charge the batteries). In embodimentswhere the heating or cooling system excludes power storage devices, saidtransmitted wireless power can be used to provide power to the one ormore heating or cooling elements via the electronic module of theheating or cooling system.

In another embodiment, said transmitted wireless power can be used toprovide power directly to the one or more heating or cooling elements(e.g., HC, see FIG. 44) within the bowl B, plate 100, 100′, 100″, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, water bottle or liquid container (e.g., chilled drinkwaresuch as a beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500), and the electronic modulecan be omitted. This embodiment of said dishware can have a wirelesspower receiver and one or more heating or cooling elements, and no othercircuitry, or very minimal circuitry, in order to keep manufacturingcosts low. In another embodiment, said transmitted wireless power can beused to provide power to the one or more heating or cooling elementswithin the bowl B, plate 100, 100′, 100″, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300,1400, cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, waterbottle or liquid container (e.g., chilled drinkware such as a beer mug1600, baby bottle 1500), and said dishware can have a simple circuitthat can limit the power to the one or more heating or cooling elementsor can have a simple thermostat circuit that can keep the temperature ofthe liquid at a predetermined temperature or temperature range. As such,the wireless power transmitters 1800 can be incorporated into tables(indoor or outdoor), counters or bars at cafes or coffee shops,restaurants, bars, as well as into desk tables (e.g., at work, school).Such wireless power transmitters 1800 can also be incorporated into cupholders (e.g., at movie theatres, in an automobile, etc.).

In one embodiment, where the liquid container is a coffee cup with theactive heating or cooling system incorporated therein, in the mannerdiscussed herein, a wireless power transmitter can be attached to,coupled to, embedded in or otherwise incorporated in a saucer plateassociated with the coffee cup and on which the coffee cup can rest. Thesaucer plate can in turn be connected to a power source (e.g., walloutlet) and can provide power to the heating or cooling system in thecoffee cup. In one embodiment, the saucer plate can have one or morepower storage elements, which can be charged and can provide power tosaid coffee cup via electrical contacts or wireless power. In anotherembodiment, the saucer plate can be a different form factor, such as adisc shape, or cradle shape, or any other suitable shape that the coffeecup can sit on. These embodiments can have all of the same featuresand/or functions as the saucer plate (described above).

In another embodiment, the wireless power transmitter can be coupled to,attached to, embedded in or otherwise incorporated into a cup holder(e.g., in an automobile, truck, bus, boat, airplane) that can receivethe cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug1600, water bottle or liquid container therein, such that the wirelesspower transmitter can transmit power to the wireless power receiver inthe cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug1600, water bottle or liquid container when the latter is placed in orsupported by the cup holder.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 38G-38H, the wireless powertransmitter can be attached to, coupled to, embedded in or otherwiseincorporated in a container receiving area 1810 of a coffee makingmachine CM (e.g., a single-serving coffee machine, or coffee machinewith a carafe, etc.). When the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container isplaced on the receiving area RA of the machine CM it can sit over thewireless power transmitter 1810A, which can transmit power to thewireless power receiver in the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container. Aspreviously discussed, said wireless power can be used to store energy inone or more power storage devices (e.g., 680, 2080, 2180) of the cup,mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, waterbottle or liquid container or it can be directly directed to the heatingor cooling elements in embodiments where the cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer exclude power storage devices. The cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer can in one embodiment use the power received from the wirelesspower transmitter to pre-heat the liquid receiving area of the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, waterbottle or liquid container either before or coincident with delivery ofliquid from the machine into the receiving area. Such implementation ofa wireless power transmitter into the coffee making machine canadvantageously provide a mechanism for a preheating system within thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe,water bottle or liquid container. In one embodiment, where the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, waterbottle or liquid container has one or more power storage devices (e.g.batteries, capacitors, etc.), once the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid containeris removed from the receiving area of the coffee making machine, theelectronic module (e.g., electronic module EM in FIG. 44 or othercontrol circuitry) can operate the one or more heating or coolingelements to maintain the liquid at the user selected or predeterminedtemperature or temperature range. In other embodiments, where the powerstorage elements are excluded, once the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid containeris removed from the receiving area of the coffee making machine, thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe,water bottle or liquid container will slowly cool down over time, inaccordance with the heat dissipation characteristics of the material ofthe cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer. Thermal materials can be used to prolong the amount of timethat the cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquid container stayshot (e.g. phase change material, etc.). In one embodiment, the said cup,mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container canhave an inductive coupling receiver and a heating or cooling element(e.g., heating or cooling element HC, such as a Peltier element,resistive heater). In another embodiment, there can be other circuitryin the said cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer, such as a temperature sensor (e.g., the temperature sensors820A-820D, 920, or S1-Sn in FIG. 44) and an electronics module (e.g.,electronic module 90, EM in FIG. 44) which can regulate the temperatureof the heating or cooling elements.

In another embodiment, said cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, waterbottle or liquid container can have a wireless power receiver, athermostat circuit, a temperature sensor, and one or more heating orcooling elements (e.g., a heater coil). In this embodiment, when thecup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container isplaced in the receiving area of the coffee making machine, and thewireless power transmitter of the machine is turned on, the cup, mug,travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container can use itsthermostat circuit to control the pre-heating process at a user selectedor predetermined temperature or temperature range. This embodiment canhave a user interface, or can exclude a user-interface and rely on afactory set temperature or temperature range. In another embodiment,similar to the above embodiment, instead of using a thermostat circuit,said cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer can have a wireless power receiver, a power limiting device(i.e. current limiter, voltage limiter or wattage limiter), and heatingor cooling elements (e.g., a heater coil). In this embodiment, when thecup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container isplaced in the receiving area of the coffee making machine, and thewireless power transmitter of the coffee making machine is turned on,the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer can use its power limiting device to control the pre-heatingtemperature at a user selected or predetermined temperature ortemperature range. This embodiment can have a user interface, or canexclude a user-interface and rely on a factory predetermined temperatureor temperature range. In another embodiment, said cup, mug, travel mug,coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container can have a wirelesspower receiver and one or more heating or cooling elements. In thisembodiment, the user can select a pre-heat temperature or pre-heattemperature range (e.g. “low” or “medium” or “high”) for said cup, mug,travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container via a userinterface located on the coffee making machine. In this embodiment, thecoffee making machine can limit or control the power level of itswireless power transmitter (based on the user-selected temperature ortemperature range), so as to control the amount of power delivered tothe wireless power receiver within the cup, mug, travel mug, coffeecarafe, water bottle or liquid container. In this embodiment the coffeemaking machine can use a voltage limiter or an amperage limiter or awattage limiter or can slowly modulate or pulse the power or use pulsewidth modulation (PWM) (e.g., pulsing of power at a high frequency) toadjust the power level provided by the wireless power transmitter in thecoffee making machine to the wireless power receive in the cup, mug,travel mug, carafe, water bottle or liquid container, and thereby adjustthe power provided to the one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,heater coil) of the cup, mug, travel mug, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer. In this manner, a specific power level can be provided to theone or more heating or cooling elements in order to heat or cool theliquid holding portion of the cup, mug, travel mug, carafe, water bottleor liquid container to a specific temperature or temperature range(e.g., low, medium, high). This embodiment advantageously allows theuser to select a pre-heat temperature or pre-heat temperature range forthe cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer directly on the coffee maker machine, and the manufacturingcosts for the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle orliquid container can be reduced due to the reduced number of componentswithin the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer. This embodiment can have a user interface on the coffeemachine (as described above), or can exclude a user-interface and relyon a factory predetermined temperature or temperature range. In anotherembodiment, the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle orliquid container can have a temperature sensor, a wireless transmitterfor transmitting data, one or more heating or cooling elements and awireless power receiver. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor cantransmit sensed temperature information to the coffee maker, so that thecoffee maker can regulate the power level that is delivered to the cup,mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container, atleast in part based on said sensed information received from thetemperature sensor. In this embodiment, the coffee maker machine canregulate power to its wireless power transmitter in order to control thetemperature of at least a portion of the liquid receiving portion of thecup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container.Although the machine described in the above embodiments is a coffeemaking machine, the above embodiments can work with a tea makingmachine, or coffee and tea making machine, or other hot or cold liquiddispensing machines.

As discussed previously, the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, waterbottle or liquid container can have a user-selected temperature setpoint or mode (e.g., low, medium, high). As discussed herein, suchuser-selected temperature set point or range can be provided, in oneembodiment, via a user interface on the cup, mug, travel mug, coffeecarafe, water bottle or liquid container. In one embodiment, the base ofthe coffee making machine could have a user interface (e.g., temperatureset point selector, such as a dial) with which the user could preset thetemperature for the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle orliquid container that is placed on the base or receiving area. In otherembodiments, the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle orliquid container can have a preselected temperature set point (e.g., afactory pre-set temperature). In still another embodiment, the cup, mug,travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottle or liquid container need nothave a preselected (e.g., at factory) or user selected temperature setpoint. Rather, the amount of heat provided by the heating or coolingelement can be controlled by the amount of amperage, voltage or wattagepassed through the induction transmitter. In such an embodiment, thecoffee making machine could include a potentiometer that controls theamperage (or voltage or wattage) provided to the base or receiving areaof the coffee making machine to set the temperature on the cup, mug ortravel mug placed on the receiving area. Although the machine describedin the above embodiments is a coffee making machine, the aboveembodiments can work with a tea making machine, or coffee and tea makingmachine, or other hot or cold liquid dispensing machines.

Though the wireless power transmitter disclosed above may be describedin connection with a cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, water bottleor liquid container, one of skill in the art will recognize that it canalso apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware(e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate), including the plate 100′, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300,and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood to coversuch liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Wireless Control

In one embodiment, operation of the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container can becontrolled wirelessly (e.g., via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IR or RFcommunication). For example, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 caninclude a communication transceiver (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IRor RF transceiver) that allows the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container to sendinformation to the remote device, as well as to receive informationand/or instructions from the remote device. In one embodiment, the plate100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container can have an IP address and be linked to a user via aWi-Fi network. Accordingly, the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer (e.g., beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500) can connect wirelesslyto a cloud (e.g., a cloud-based communication system). In anotherembodiment, the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600,cup, water bottle or liquid container can have a near fieldcommunication (NFC) pad, so that a user can use their mobile electronicdevice to connect to the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travelmug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container via Bluetooth (e.g., viaa Bluetooth link using a Bluetooth chip) or other wireless communicationmeans.

In one embodiment, the remote device can be a wireless remote control.In another embodiment, the remote device can be a mobile electronicdevice (e.g., smart phone, PDA, tablet computer, laptop, notebook, etc.)that can communicate via the cloud, or that can be paired orsynchronized (e.g., via Bluetooth), with the plate 100, bowl, servingdish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container(e.g., chilled drinkware, baby bottle). With respect to plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, cups, water bottles or liquidcontainers, the mobile electronic device can be paired with one of theplates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, cups, water bottles orliquid containers to control the operation of that individual plate 100,bowl, serving dish, mug 400, cup, water bottle or liquid container orcan be paired with a plurality of plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, cups, water bottles or liquid containers to control theoperation of the plurality of plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs400, cups, water bottles or liquid containers at the same time.

In one embodiment, a mobile application (e.g., an iPhone, Android,BlackBerry or Windows mobile application) can be installed on the mobileelectronic device to allow the mobile electronic device to communicatewith the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travelmugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers (e.g., via the cloudor via a Bluetooth connection).

The wireless remote control or mobile electronic device can receiveoperational data from the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers withwhich the wireless remote control or mobile electronic devicecommunicates via the cloud or is paired (e.g., via Bluetooth). Forexample, charge level of the one or more batteries 80, 480, 680;heating/cooling status or temperature of the plate 100 bowl or servingdish or different sections of the plate 100 bowl or serving dish, or ofthe cup, liquid container, mug 400 or the travel mug 600; ambienttemperature; and/or diagnostic information for the heating or coolingsystem 55, 455, 655 can be communicated to the wireless remote controlor mobile electronic device. In one embodiment, the mobile electronicdevice can receive information from the one or more plates 100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,cups, water bottles or liquid containers (e.g., via the cloud or via anear field communication system, or via Wi-Fi or via Bluetooth). Forexample, the mobile electronic device could receive information on howmany cups of coffee the user has had throughout the day. Additionally,using the liquid level sensors (discussed above), the mobile electronicdevice could receive information from the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle or liquid container on the volume(e.g., ounces) of liquid (e.g., coffee, tea, water, milk, formula, beer,soft drink) that the user has consumed (e.g., on a daily basis, on aweekly basis, on a monthly basis, etc.). Accordingly, the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle or liquidcontainer could communicate with the cloud to provide information on thecoffee, beer, water (etc.) intake of the user, thereby tracking userbehavior. The user could use such information to track information abouttheir habits (e.g., times of day that they drink coffee, number of cupsof coffee consumed a day, type of coffee drink or tea that they like,etc.). Such information could also be used to limit user intake (e.g.,of coffee), by communicating such habit information (e.g., set by theuser via the user interface on the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, water bottle or liquid container, orvia a mobile application or website, as discussed further herein, orstored on the cloud based on information compiled from the user over,for example a week, a month, etc.) to the user via the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, water bottleor liquid container. For example, the cup, mug or travel mug couldactivate an alarm (e.g., visual alarm, auditory alarm) to let the userknow when the intake limit for coffee has been reached for the day, suchdrink limit information communicated from the cloud to the cup, mug,baby bottle, travel mug, water bottle or liquid container. Similarly,the chilled drinkware (e.g., beer mug) could activate an alarm (e.g.,visual alarm, auditory alarm, etc.) when the number of beers consumedreaches a preselected limit (e.g., chosen by the user, bartender, etc.)via an electronic device (e.g., mobile electronic device, desk topcomputer, etc.) through the cloud or a near field communication system,or can be selected via a user-interface on the chilled drinkware device(e.g., beer mug 1600).

As discussed above, the information collected by the one or more plates100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, cups, baby bottles 1500, water bottles or liquid containerscan be sent to a cloud based data collection/storage system that theuser can access via a dashboard interface on an electronic device (e.g.,a mobile electronic device, a desktop computer, etc.). In oneembodiment, the cloud could be local, where the user's mobile phone,PDA, tablet computer, etc., can link to a router and can then be used tosend instructions to and receive information from the one or more plates100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, cups, baby bottles 1500, water bottles or liquid containers.Accordingly, in one embodiment, the electronic device (e.g., mobileelectronic device, desktop computer) could communicate with the one ormore plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, cups, baby bottles 1500, water bottles orliquid containers, without using the internet.

In one embodiment, the information stored on the cloud can becommunicated to social networking sites, e.g., by the user, to shareinformation (e.g., progress in reducing coffee intake, or sharing theuser's favorite type of coffee or tea drinks, or the user's daily coffeeor tea drinking habits, etc.) with the user's social network.

RFID Tag

In one embodiment, the cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquidcontainer can have an RFID tag. In this embodiment, user data can betransmitted via the RFID tag to an RFID reader at a coffee shop, teashop, coffee café, café, grocery store, food & beverage location, orother retail location. The RFID tag can communicate certain data, suchas the user's favorite coffee or tea drink, or the user's drinkinghabits, or what coffee and/or tea shops the user has visited, or whatother retail locations the user has visited, or what temperature theuser prefers to keep his or her coffee or tea drink. In anotherembodiment, the RFID tag can receive information from the retaillocation (e.g., the RFID tag can receive information on the specificcoffee or tea purchased, such as where it was grown, etc.), and suchinformation can be displayed to the user (e.g., via a visual display onthe cup, mug, travel mug, carafe, water bottle or liquid container). Inanother embodiment, the RFID tag within the cup, mug, travel mug, waterbottle or liquid container can be used to pay for the beverage, food ormerchandise that the user chooses to purchase. In this embodiment, theRFID tag within the cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquidcontainer can communicate with an RFID reader of the coffee shop, teashop, coffee café, café, grocery store, food & beverage location orother retail location, and can communicate the user's identificationinformation, or account information, or credit card information, or bankaccount information, or credit account information (e.g. such as acoffee shop credit account or coffee shop pre-paid account, or a creditaccount or pre-paid account of another suitable type). In thisembodiment, the user can use his or her cup, mug, travel mug, waterbottle or liquid container to pay for food, beverage or othermerchandise. In another embodiment, the RFID tag within the cup, mug,travel mug, water bottle or liquid container can be used as part of acustomer loyalty rewards program. As an example, the coffee shop, teashop, coffee café, grocery store, food & beverage location or otherretail location can reward the user a free cup of coffee or tea forevery 10 cups of coffee or tea that the user purchases. Each time theuser purchases a cup of coffee or tea, the RFID tag can communicate saidinformation to an RFID reader, or the purchasing data can be stored onthe RFID tag, or within other data storage circuitry inside the cup,mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquid container, or on a cloud baseddata storage system, or a local or remote data storage system. Althoughthe example given above states one free cup of coffee or tea for everyten cups of coffee or tea purchased, other rewards programs can be used(e.g. food, beverage, merchandise, rewards points, reward dollars,dollars, currency, etc. can be extended to the customer in exchange fortotal amount of coffee or tea consumed or purchased by the customer, orcertain types of coffee or tea purchased by the customer, or a rewardpoints system, or other beverages purchased, or total amount of dollarsspent, or number of times per day, month, or year the costumer makespurchases, or any other suitable rewards program can be used). In oneembodiment, the reward points, or rewards dollars, or other rewardprogram information can be displayed on the user's cup, mug, travel mug,water bottle or liquid container via a display screen or can bedisplayed on the user's mobile electronic device, or cell phone, ortablet or on the cloud, or on the user's dashboard, or on a website oron a mobile phone or tablet application, etc. In another embodiment, theRFID tag within the cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquidcontainer can communicate information to an RFID reader within a coffeeshop, tea shop, coffee café, café, grocery store, food & beveragelocation or other retail location for the purposes of accumulating datathat can be used to calculate the approximate or exact amount of papercups or disposable cups not used or number of trees saved, etc. In thisembodiment, as an example, when the user uses his or her cup, mug,travel mug, water bottle or liquid container to consume a purchasedbeverage, a disposable cup has been saved (i.e. not used). This userdata can be collected and can be transmitted via the RFID tag andultimately can be displayed on the user's cup, mug, travel mug, waterbottle or liquid container via a display screen or can be displayed onthe user's mobile electronic device, or cell phone, or tablet, or on theuser's internet dashboard, or on a website or on a mobile phone ortablet application, or on a social media website or app, or on a screeninside or outside the coffee shop, tea shop, coffee café, café, grocerystore, food & beverage location or other retail location, etc. (e.g.total number or approximate total number of trees saved, or total numberof disposable cups saved or not used, or total carbon footprint offset,or other suitable green or eco initiative information). In thisembodiment, the information can be single user information (e.g. howmany disposal cups the user has independently saved) or the datacollection can be cumulative and can include data from a group of usersor all users, etc. (e.g., total number or approximate total number ofdisposable cups saved, or trees saved, or carbon footprint offset,across all users of said RFID tag enabled cups, mugs, travel mugs, waterbottles or liquid containers). In another embodiment, the user's datacan be collected and displayed directly on a screen of the user's cup,mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquid container or can be displayed ona screen of the user's mobile phone or mobile electronic device viaBluetooth pairing (e.g. how many disposal cups the user hasindependently saved or the number of trees saved, or total carbonfootprint offset, etc.) and in this embodiment the use of transmitteduser data (e.g. RFID tag) would not be necessary. Although theembodiments described in this paragraph use an RFID tag and RFID readerto communicate data, other suitable methods of wireless communicationcan be used to transmit said data (e.g. the cup, mug, travel mug, waterbottle or liquid container can communicate said data via a WiFiconnection, or via a Bluetooth radio, or via ZigBee radio, or via nearfield communication (NFC), or any other suitable RF, Infrared orultrasound transmitter or receiver). In one embodiment, multiple stagesof communications can lead to the data arriving in a targeted location(e.g. a Bluetooth radio of the cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle orliquid container can transmit certain data to a mobile electronic device(via Bluetooth paring) and the mobile electronic device can relay ortransmit said data to the internet via its cellular or WiFi connectionto the internet).

In another embodiment, the data described in this paragraph above can betransmitted to the coffee shop, tea shop, coffee café, café, grocerystore, food & beverage location or other retail location via a QR codethat is displayed on a screen of the user's cup, mug, travel mug, waterbottle or liquid container (e.g. the user can pay for beverage, food ormerchandise via the use of a QR code that is displayed on a screen ofthe user's cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquid container, or auser can transmit reward points information, or identificationinformation, or any other information, as outlined in this paragraphabove, via a QR code on a screen of the user's cup, mug, travel mug,water bottle or liquid container). In another embodiment, said QR codecan be displayed on a mobile phone, or mobile electronic device via awireless transmission of data from the cup, mug, travel mug, waterbottle or liquid container to the user's mobile phone or mobileelectronic device. Although the embodiment described in this paragraphutilizes a QR code, in other embodiments another graphic or symbol orbarcode can be used instead of a QR code.

In one embodiment, the wireless remote control or mobile electronicdevice can display the temperature of the liquid that is within the cup,mug 400, travel mug 600, water bottle or liquid container (e.g., sensedby the one or more temperature sensors in the cup, mug 400, travel mug600, water bottle or liquid container). In one embodiment, the wirelessremote control or mobile electronic device can display the liquid levelwithin the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, water bottle or liquidcontainer (e.g., sensed by the one or more liquid level sensors in thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, water bottle or liquid container). Inanother embodiment, the wireless remote control or mobile electronicdevice can display the temperature of the food that is on the plate 100,800, 900 or serving dish or the temperature of the food or soup withinthe bowl (e.g., sensed by the one or more temperature sensors 820A-820D,920).

The wireless remote control or mobile electronic device can be used bythe user to communicate instructions to the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles orliquid containers with which the wireless remote control or mobileelectronic device communicates (e.g., via the cloud) or is paired orassociated with (e.g., via Bluetooth, via near field communicationsystem, via WiFi, etc.). For example the user can operate the wirelessremote control or mobile electronic device to turn on or off one or moreheating or cooling elements 60, 60′ in a plate 100, 100′, bowl orserving dish, cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquid container ora set of plates 100, 100′, bowls or serving dishes, cups, mugs, travelmugs, water bottles or liquid containers (e.g., turn on or off aplurality of heating or cooling elements 60, 60′ associated withdifferent sections of the plate 100, 100′, bowl or serving dish or setof plates 100, 100′, bowl or serving dishes), which would advantageouslyallow operation of a large number of plates, cups, mugs, serving dishes,etc., at the same time, for example by a catering company; to providetemperature set points for different sections of the plate 100, 100′,bowl or serving dish, or cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquidcontainer or plates 100, 100′, bowl or serving dishes, or cups, mugs,travel mugs, water bottles or liquid containers; to set times (e.g., forhow long one or more of the heating or cooling elements 60, 60′ is tooperate); or to set limited function mode features, as described furtherbelow. However, the wireless remote control or mobile electronic devicecan be used to provide instructions to the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles orliquid containers to control any operational parameter (e.g. temperaturemode). Such functionality advantageously allows the user to control theone or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, cups, water bottles or liquid containers(e.g., chilled drinkware, such as beer mugs 1600) remotely. For example,if a user left the actively heated or cooled travel mug in his or hercar, the user could turn off operation of the travel mug remotely viatheir smartphone or tablet computer or laptop computer, etc.

Though the wireless communication via the cloud, Bluetooth, WiFi, ornear field communication system disclosed above may be described inconnection with a mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,water bottle or liquid container (such as a beer mug 1600 or baby bottle1500), one of skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply toany liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl,serving dish, hot plate), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1100, 1300, 1400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scopeof disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers canhave a color-mixing LED indicator as a visual indicator which can beadjusted to an individual color (e.g., one user's plate can have a pinkglowing indicator, another user's plate can have a blue glowingindicator), allowing the users to identify their specific plate 100,bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer paired with their individual remote control or mobileelectronic device. In another embodiment, each of the one or more plates100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, waterbottles or liquid containers can have a digital readout, allowing eachuser to have an identifier displayed (e.g., a name, numericalidentifier, symbol, unique marking). In another embodiment, the plates100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, waterbottles or liquid containers can be sold in a multi-piece set or asindividual unique units with a permanent identifier marking (e.g. logo,sticker, number, letter, icon, housing shape, housing color, a coloredportion of the housing, glowing colored light, name or any othersuitable identifier marking) so that the individual user can pair totheir unique plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600,cup, water bottle or liquid container. In another embodiment, theindividually marked plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travelmugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers can all be controlledtogether or in groups via a wireless remote or mobile electronic device.

As discussed above, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers(e.g. beer mugs 1600, coffee carafes, baby bottles 1500) can have a userinterface, such as a digital screen, that can display operationalinformation (e.g., temperature, liquid level, battery charge level) aswell as information communicated to the one or more plates 100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquidcontainers (e.g., from the cloud or via Bluetooth from a mobileelectronic device). FIGS. 35-37 show one embodiment of a travel mug1700A with a user interface 1710A. The travel mug 1700A can have astructural arrangement and heating or cooling system similar to the onedescribed herein for the mug 400, travel mug 600, 2000, 2100, 2400. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the user interface 1710A can be a digitalscreen (e.g., LCD screen). The user interface 1710A can displayoperational information (e.g., temperature, liquid level, battery chargelevel) of the travel mug 1700A (e.g., operational informationcommunicated from the electronic module to the user interface 1710A),and optionally, can also display information communicated wirelessly Wto the travel mug 1700A from an electronic device, such as a mobileelectronic device 1750A (see FIG. 37) or from the internet via a WiFiconnection. As discussed above, in one embodiment, information can becommunicated via the cloud. In another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 37, the mobile electronic device 1750A can communicate with thetravel mug 1700A, as an example via a Bluetooth connection, where themobile electronic device 1750A can be paired with one or more travelmugs 1700A. In one embodiment, the travel mug 1700A can receiveinformation (e.g., via the cloud, via Bluetooth) such as time, date,financial information (e.g., stock information), weather informationsuch as expected high and low temperature for the day, personalinformation (e.g., appointments from calendar, birthday reminders,information from social networking sites) and displays the informationon the user interface 1710A. In one embodiment, as discussed previously,the user can input instructions via the user interface 1710A (e.g.,change beverage temperature set point, change the heating or coolingsystem setting between, for example, a variety of power modes, a sleepmode, an on mode or an off mode).

In one embodiment, the user interface 1710A (e.g., digital screen) cango into sleep mode, for example, if motion of the travel mug 1700A (orof the plate, cup, mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid containerwith said user interface) is not detected after a certain period oftime, in order to preserve energy (e.g., battery power). In onembodiment, the user interface 1710A (e.g., digital screen) can be“woken up” by moving or shaking the travel mug 1700A (or of the plate,cup, mug, bay bottle, water bottle or liquid container with said userinterface), which can cause a motion sensor (e.g., gyroscope, tiltsensor, such as those disclosed above) to send a signal to theelectronic module to power-on the user interface 1710A. In anotherembodiment, the user interface 1710A (e.g., digital screen) can be“woken up” via a gesture sensor (as discussed herein), where the usercan wave a hand in front of the sensor or near the sensor, which canthen send a signal to the electronic module to power-on the userinterface 1710A. In other embodiments, sensors other than a gesturesensor can be used to sense a motion by the user, such as a motionsensor, infrared sensor, which can sense motion (e.g., the userapproaching the travel mug 1700A, or the plate, cup, mug, baby bottle,water bottle or liquid container, etc.). In still another embodiment,the user interface 1710A (e.g., digital screen) can be “woken up” via acontact sensor that can sense when the user touches the travel mug 1700A(or the plate, cup, mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container,etc.) and communicates a signal to the electronic module to power-on theuser interface 1710A. In yet another embodiment, the user interface1710A (e.g., digital screen) can be “woken up” via a push button switchor other type of switch.

Though the communication with the user interface disclosed above may bedescribed in connection with a travel mug 1700A, one of skill in the artwill recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, cup, mug400, travel mug, 600, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500,bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure andthe invention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

FIG. 37A shows the mug 400 paired with the mobile electronic device1750. The mobile electronic device 1750 can communicate wirelessly Wwith the mug 400 to transmit information thereto (e.g., to set theoperating temperature of one or more heating and cooling elements HC ofthe mug 400) and/or to receive information therefrom (e.g., sensedliquid temperature, sensed liquid level, battery charge level). Asdiscussed above, in one embodiment, information can be communicated viathe cloud. In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 37, the mobileelectronic device 1750A can communicate with the mug 400, as an examplevia a Bluetooth connection, where the mobile electronic device 1750A canbe paired with one or more mugs 400. The mug 400 can have a wirelesspower receiver, one or more energy storage devices, one or more heatingor cooling elements, one or more temperature sensors, control circuitryand a wireless transceiver, as disclosed in embodiments herein. Inanother embodiment, the transceiver is excluded and the mug 400 can havea user interface to set the temperature at which the heating or coolingelements are to heat the liquid in the mug 400 to. In anotherembodiment, the transceiver and the user interface can be excluded andthe mug 400 can have a factory pre-set temperature or temperature rangeat which the one or more heating or cooling elements operate at.

In another embodiment, the mug 400 can also have a motion sensor (e.g.,vibration sensor, accelerometer, gyro, etc.). While the heating orcooling elements are in operation, if the motion sensor detects nomotion of the mug 400 for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 15minutes), which can be stored in a memory that communicates with theelectronic module of the mug 400, the heating or cooling elements willbe turned off (e.g., the electronic module will cease supplying power tothe heating or cooling elements). In another embodiment, the automaticturn-off time period can be adjusted by a user (e.g., via a remotemobile device). In another embodiment, sensed movement or motion by themotion sensor can turn on the one or more heating or cooling elements.

In another embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, servingdishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, cups, waterbottles or liquid containers (such as a beer mug 1600 or baby bottle1500) can have a gesture sensor, which can allow the user to controloperation of the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, cup, water bottle or liquid container (e.g.,beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500) with one or more gestures (e.g., of theuser's face, eyes, arms, hands or fingers).

Though the wireless control disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, one of skill in the art will recognize that it can alsoapply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g.,bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), includingthe plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, beer mug 1600 or babybottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, cups, water bottlesor liquid containers (e.g., chilled drinkware, baby bottle 1500) cancommunicate (e.g., via WiFi or ZigBee or the cloud or Bluetooth, etc.)with one or more electronic devices (e.g., mobile electronic devicessuch as mobile telephones, PDAs, tablet computers, laptop computers orelectronic watch or desktop computers). In one embodiment, the one ormore cups, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, waterbottles or liquid containers (e.g., chilled drinkware such as beer mug1600, baby bottles 1500) can send an alert (e.g., visual signal,auditory signal, worded message) to the electronic device when theliquid level in the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, water bottle orliquid container reaches a predetermined level or set point (as sensedby the one or more liquid sensors) so that the person with theelectronic device (which could be the user or a different person) canknow that it's time to replenish the liquid (e.g., water, coffee, tea,beer, alcohol) in the one or more cups, mugs, travel mugs, water bottlesor liquid containers (e.g., chilled drinkware, such as beer mugs, babybottles, etc.). In one example, this can advantageously allow the useror their assistant to replenish the drinks in the one or more cups,mugs, travel mugs, water bottles or liquid containers in an efficientmanner and without unduly interrupting the holder of the cup, mug,travel mug, water bottle or liquid container. For example, when used ina boardroom environment, the drinks can be replenished without undulyinterrupting a meeting. In another embodiment, where in a bar orrestaurant environment, this can advantageously allow thewaitress/waiter or barkeep to efficiently replenish drinks withouthaving to constantly monitor the user of the cup, mug, travel mug, waterbottle or liquid container to see if they are in need of a refill (e.g.,water, soft drink, coffee, tea, alcohol, such as beer, etc.).

In another embodiment, when the liquid level in the one or more cups,mugs, travel mugs, water bottles or liquid containers reaches apredetermined level or set point (as discussed above), an alert can besent to a mobile electronic device (of the user, of a third person,etc.) and the mobile electronic device can access a navigationapplication to locate the nearest location (e.g., coffee shop,convenience store, restaurant) where the user can replenish the liquidin their cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquid container.

In one embodiment, discussed above, the one or more cups, mugs, travelmugs, water bottles or liquid containers can be in wirelesscommunication with an automobile or vehicle and the one or more cups,mugs, travel mugs, water bottles or liquid containers (e.g., chilleddrinkware, baby bottles) can communicate (e.g., via Bluetooth) with theautomobile or vehicle to provide the information discussed in theembodiments above (e.g., volume of liquid left or liquid level, liquidtemperature, battery charge level). The automobile's or vehicle'scommunication system can be used to provide said information to the uservia the user interface on the vehicle. In one embodiment, the user canalso control the operation of the one or more cups, mugs, travel mugs,water bottles or liquid containers via the vehicle's user interface(e.g., via touch controls or voice activated controls). In oneembodiment, when the liquid level within the cup, mug, travel mug, waterbottle or liquid container drops below a predetermined level, thevehicle's user interface can provide information on nearby locations(e.g., coffee shops, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants)where the user can replenish the liquid in the cup, mug, travel mug,water bottle or liquid container.

Though the alert notification based on liquid or food level disclosedabove may be described in connection with a cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle or liquid container, one ofskill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400,baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer2300, and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Sensing Boldness of Liquid

In one embodiment, the one or more cups, mugs, travel mugs, liquidcontainers or water bottles (e.g., drinkware or baby bottles) caninclude one or more quality sensors (such as the sensor LS in FIG. 34E)that can sense a quality of the liquid contained therein, such as theboldness (e.g., of coffee or tea), flavor, acidity, caffeine, calories,sugar, etc. In one embodiment, the one or more quality sensors can bevisual sensors, light sensors, ultrasound sensors, pH sensors, chlorinesensors, fluoride sensors, taste sensors, or other suitable types ofsensors. In one embodiment, the one or more drink quality sensors cansense the quality (e.g., boldness, flavor, acidity, caffeine, calories,sugar, sodium content, chlorine content, fluoride content, etc.) of thedrink and communicate the sensed information to the electronic module,which can communicate the information to the user via a user interfaceon the cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquid container (e.g.,drinkware or baby bottle), or communicate the information wirelessly toan electronic device (e.g., mobile electronic device such as a smartphone, PDA, tablet computer; desk top computer, etc.), either via thecloud, as discussed above, or via a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetoothor WiFi or Zigbee). The drink quality information can be communicated ona display screen or in the form of a verbal message, a text message, avisual message, a meter, a visual signal (e.g., glowing or blinkinglights), an auditory signal or other suitable signals. In oneembodiment, the one or more quality sensors can be used to communicateboldness information on coffee in the. In another embodiment, the one ormore quality sensors can be used to communicate information to the userwhen a tea bag steeping process is completed. In another embodiment, theone or more drink quality sensors can be used to determine if milk orformula has gone bad inside of a baby bottle or liquid container andcommunicate said information to the user. In another embodiment, the oneor more drink quality sensors can be used to determine if milk orformula inside of a baby bottle or liquid container is healthy to drinkand communicate said information to the user.

FIG. 38I shows one embodiment of a liquid container LC8 (e.g., a cup,mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beermug 1600, water bottle). The liquid container LC8 can include one ormore quality sensors that can sense a quality of the liquid containedtherein, such as the boldness (e.g., of coffee or tea), flavor, acidity,caffeine, calories, sugar, etc. In one embodiment, the one or morequality sensors can be visual sensors, light sensors, ultrasoundsensors, pH sensors, chlorine sensors, fluoride sensors, taste sensors,or other suitable types of sensors. In one embodiment, the one or moredrink quality sensors can sense the quality (e.g., boldness, flavor,acidity, caffeine, calories, sugar, sodium content, chlorine content,fluoride content, etc.) of the drink and communicate the sensedinformation to the electronic module, which can communicate theinformation to the user via a user interface UI1 on the cup, mug, travelmug, water bottle or liquid container (e.g., drinkware or baby bottle),or communicate the information wirelessly to an electronic device (e.g.,mobile electronic device such as a smart phone, PDA, tablet computer;desk top computer, etc.), either via the cloud, as discussed above, orvia a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth or WiFi or Zigbee). The drinkquality information can be communicated on a display screen UI1 or inthe form of a verbal message, a text message, a visual message, a meter,a visual signal (e.g., glowing or blinking lights), an auditory signalor other suitable signals.

In one embodiment, the liquid container LC8 (e.g., water bottle) canhave a liquid quality sensor, as discussed above, a wireless powerreceiver, one or more power storage elements PS, and can exclude aheating or cooling system. In another embodiment, the wireless powerreceiver can be replaced with a kinetic electricity generator, asdiscussed further below. In one embodiment, the liquid container LC8 canhave one or more solar panels SP on an outside surface thereof forcollecting solar energy that can be used to power the one or morequality sensors, visual display, etc.

Though the quality sensor disclosed above may be described in connectionwith a mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle orliquid container, one of skill in the art will recognize that it canalso apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware(e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate), including the plate 100′, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, breadbasket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure andthe invention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

In one embodiment, the cup, mug, travel mug, water bottle or liquidcontainer can have a timer feature which can be set and or activated bythe user or by a third party (e.g. an employee of a coffee shop). Saidtimer feature can alert the user as to when the tea bag steeping processis complete. The alert can be an audible sound, a notification on adisplay screen, a notification or audible sound on the user's mobileelectronic device or mobile phone, or any other suitable means ofnotifying the user).

Vacuum Sealed Mug

FIG. 39 shows one embodiment of a travel mug 2000, such as a travelcoffee mug, that can incorporate some of the same features describedabove with respect to the mug 400, cup, travel mug 600, 1700A, waterbottle or liquid container. In the illustrated embodiment, the travelmug 2000 has an outer circumferential wall 2010, a handle 2012 and abottom portion 2040, where the bottom portion 2040 can, in oneembodiment, be removably attached to the distal end of the outercircumferential wall 2010. In the illustrated embodiment, the travel mug2000 has an inner circumferential wall 2020 that extends from a proximalportion 2022 to a base 2026. The inner circumferential wall 2020 definesa chamber 2018 (e.g., receiving portion or cavity) for holding a liquid(e.g., coffee, tea). The travel mug 2000 can in on embodiment be sizedto fit in a standard diameter cup holder (e.g., in an automobile,theatre). Additionally, the travel mug 2000 can be sized (e.g., have aheight) to allow it to fit in a drawer (e.g., top drawer) of adishwasher rack, such that the travel mug 2000 can be placed upside downin the dishwasher for cleaning in a generally vertical orientation. Inone embodiment, the travel mug 2000 can hold about 16 ounces of liquid.However, other liquid containment sizes can be used (e.g., 12 oz., 24oz., etc.).

The inner circumferential wall 2020 can attach at its proximal portion2022 to a proximal end 2012 a of the outer circumferential wall 2010.The inner circumferential wall 2020 is shaped relative to the outercircumferential wall 2010 so as to define an annular gap 2028 betweenthe inner circumferential wall 2020 and the outer circumferential wall2010. Additionally, the base 2026 of the inner circumferential wall 2020is spaced apart from the bottom portion 2040 so as to define a cavity2030 therebetween, where the cavity 2030 is walled off or separated fromthe annular gap 2028. A cover 2070 can be removably disposed over theopening in the inner circumferential wall 2020 to substantially seal thetop of the cavity or liquid receiving portion 2018.

The travel mug 2000 can have a heating or cooling system 2055, similarto heating or cooling systems discloses herein, such as for the mug 400,travel mug 600, plate 100 (e.g., a system that can have one or morePeltier elements that can operate in heating and cooling modes toselectively provide heating and cooling to the liquid in the travel mug2000), though for simplicity the heating elements of the heating orcooling system have been excluded from FIG. 39. In one embodiment, theheating or cooling system 2055 can include one or more energy storagedevices 2080 and an electronic module 2090, where these components canbe arranged and connected in the same manner described above inconnection with the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl or serving dish andheated or cooled mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer. One or more heating or cooling elements (not shown) can bedisposed adjacent the inner wall 2020 (e.g., along at least a portion ofthe height of the inner wall 2020), such as in contact with an outersurface 2020 a of the inner circumferential wall 2020 to thereby provideheating or cooling to the liquid in the chamber or cavity 2018.

The electronic module 2090 can be attached to the bottom portion 2040and can include one or more of a wireless power receiver 2092 (e.g.,that can receive power from an inductive coupling transmitter in acharging base, such as charging base 700, or a charging pad, such as oneembedded in a table as discussed herein), control circuitry 2094 (e.g.,controller circuit, microcontroller, etc.) and a charger 2096 (e.g.,charging circuit) for charging the one or more energy storage devices2080. The electronic module 2090 can include a MCU with capacitivesensing and graphic control features. The control circuitry 2094 canoperate to manage the power delivered to the one or more heating orcooling elements. The control circuitry 2094 can also be used to managethe charging of the one or more energy storage devices 2080.

In one embodiment, the wireless power receiver 2092 is electricallyconnected to the battery charger 2096, which is electrically connectedto the energy storage devices 2080 that in turn are electricallyconnected to the heating or cooling elements. In another embodiment,where energy storage devices 2080 are excluded, the wireless powerreceiver 2092 can be electrically connected to the heating or coolingelements.

In one embodiment, the bottom portion 2040 can be removably attached tothe travel mug 2000 to allow access to the heating or cooling system2055 in the cavity 2030. For example, the bottom portion 2040 can bemechanically coupled to the travel mug 2000, (e.g., with screws, athreaded interface between the bottom portion 640 and travel mug 600, apress-fit connection). The bottom portion 2040 can be removed to allowthe replacing of the one or more energy storage devices 2080 and theservicing of the heating or cooling system 2055. In one embodiment, thebottom portion 2040 can be a water resistant lid that can be removablyattachable (e.g., threaded on or screwed) to the travel mug 2000, cup,water bottle or liquid container for accessing the heating or coolingsystem 2055. In another embodiment, the bottom portion 2040 can be awater resistant lid that can be removably attachable (e.g., threaded onor screwed) to the travel mug 2000, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer for accessing the one or more energy storage devices 2080. Inyet another embodiment, the energy storage devices 2080 can be in a packthat is attached (e.g., threaded snap fit, screwed down) onto the bottomor side of the travel mug 2000, where the pack's electrical contactsconnect with a set of electrical contacts on the bottom or side of thetravel mug 2000, cup, water bottle or liquid container.

With continued reference to FIG. 39, the travel mug 2000 is a doublewalled unit with the inner wall 2020 and the outer wall 2010. In oneembodiment, the travel mug 2000 can be vacuum sealed, such that a vacuumexists in the gap 2028. In another embodiment, the travel mug 2000 neednot be vacuum sealed, but can have the double wall structure separatedby the gap 2028. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more spacers 2098interconnects the base 2026 of the inner wall 2020 and the inner surface2010 a of the outer wall 2010. In one embodiment, the one or morespacers 2098 can be of a thermally conductive material (e.g., aluminum,copper). The one or more spacers 2098 can advantageously provide athermal bridge to transfer heat from the cavity 2018 to the outer wall2010 a. In one embodiment, the inner wall 2020 and surface 2010 a arepart of a single piece (e.g., monolithic piece) that can be insertedinto the body of the travel mug 2000.

A temperature sensor (e.g., thermistor, thermostat) can be connected tothe outer wall 2010 a and can be in thermal communication with the oneor more spacers 2098 to thereby provide a temperature reading of thetemperature in the cavity 2018. The temperature sensor can communicatewith the electronic module 2090, which can communicate the sensedtemperature information as discussed herein (e.g., communicate it to auser interface of the travel mug 2000, communicate it to an electronicdevice, such as a mobile electronic device, via the cloud or a nearfield communication system). This embodiment advantageously allowsobtaining of temperature information from the cavity 2018 in a doublewalled travel mug 2000 (e.g., a vacuum sealed mug) without the need toextend wiring through a vacuum chamber in the gap 2028.

In another embodiment, the one or more spacers 2098 can alternatively(or additionally) serve as a sound bridge and allow the sensing ofliquid volume or level within the cavity 2018. For example, a soundgenerator (e.g., an ultrasound generator) can be coupled to the outerwall 2010 adjacent one of the one or more spacers 2098 and generate asignal (e.g., a vibration signal) that can be communicated into theliquid in the cavity 2018 via the spacer 2098. A microphone (e.g., anultrasound microphone) can be coupled to the outer wall 2010 adjacentanother of the one or more spacers 2098 and communicate a signal to theelectronic module 2090, which could determine a volume (or level) ofliquid in the cavity 2018 based on a comparison of the frequency of thesignal generated by the sound generator and the frequency received bythe microphone. In another embodiment an ultrasound sensor can be usedwhere the speaker and microphone are part of one sensor device, and thatsensor device can be coupled to an outer wall of the vacuum sealedchamber, in close proximity to or in audible communication with thespacer 2098.

In another embodiment, where the spacer 2098 is excluded, a temperaturesensor (e.g., thermistor, thermostat), or ultrasound sensor, can becoupled to the outer surface of the base 2026 and one or more wires runthrough the outer wall 2010 with an air-tight seal (if the travel mug isvacuum sealed) or non-airtight seal (if the travel mug is not vacuumsealed) between the dual wall unit to thereby provide temperature and/orliquid level or volume information from the cavity 2018 to theelectronic module 2090.

FIG. 40 shows another embodiment of a travel mug 2100. The travel mug2100 is similar to the travel mug 2000 and can include many of the samefeatures. As such, similar features in the travel mug 2100 and travelmug 2000 have similar numerical identifiers, except that the identifierfor the feature in the travel mug 2100 is prefaced by “21” instead of“20”. The description below therefore focuses on the features of thetravel mug 2100 that differ from the travel mug 2000.

The travel mug 2100 can be a double walled unit with an inner wall 2120and an outer wall 2110. The base 2126 of the inner wall 2120 can haveone or more portions 2126 c that can contact one or more portions 2110 cof a base 2110 b of the outer wall 2110. A temperature sensor (e.g.,thermistor, thermostat) can be connected to the one or more portions2110 c of the base 2110 b to thereby provide a temperature reading ofthe temperature in the cavity 2118. The temperature sensor cancommunicate with the electronic module 2190, which can communicate thesensed temperature information as discussed herein (e.g., communicate itto a user interface of the travel mug 2100, communicate it to anelectronic device, such as a mobile electronic device, via the cloud ora Bluetooth connection). This embodiment advantageously allows obtainingof temperature information from the cavity 2118 in a double walledtravel mug 2100 (e.g., a vacuum sealed mug) without the need to extendwiring through a vacuum chamber in the gap 2128 and without the use of aspacer between the inner wall 2120 and the outer wall 2110 a. In oneembodiment, the inner wall 2120 and surface 2110 a are part of a singlepiece (e.g., monolithic piece) that can be inserted into the body of thetravel mug 2100.

In another embodiment, the contact between the one or more portions 2126c of the inner wall 2100 and one or more portions 2110 c of the outerwall 2110 can alternatively (or additionally) serve as a sound bridgeand allow the sensing of liquid volume or level within the cavity 2118.For example, a sound generator (e.g., an ultrasound generator) can becoupled to the outer surface of the outer wall 2110 c adjacent one ofsaid contacting one or more portions 2126 c of the inner wall 2126 andone or more portions 2110 c of the outer wall 2110 b and generate asignal (e.g., a vibration signal) that can be communicated into theliquid in the cavity 2118. A microphone (e.g., an ultrasound microphone)can be coupled to an outer surface of the outer wall 2110 c adjacentanother of said contacting one or more portions 2126 c of the inner wall2126 and one or more portions 2110 c of the outer wall 2110 b andcommunicate a signal to the electronic module 2190, which coulddetermine a volume (or level) of liquid in the cavity 2118 based on acomparison of the frequency of the signal generated by the soundgenerator and the frequency received by the microphone.

In still another option, not shown, the one or more portions 2126 c canhave an opening defined by an edge that can be coupled (e.g., welded) tothe one or more portions 2110 c of the outer wall 2110 b such that thetemperature or liquid volume/level sensors can be attached to an outersurface of the outer wall 2110 b and so their signals need only passthrough the single wall.

Though the temperature and/or liquid sensing disclosed above may bedescribed in connection with a travel mug 2000, 2100, one of skill inthe art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500, breadbasket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure andthe invention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

Bread Basket

FIG. 41 shows a bread basket 2200 that can include many of the featuresdiscussed above with respect to the plate 100, bowl, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100. In particular, the breadbasket 2200 or bread warmer device can include a heating system (notshown), which can include one or more heating elements, an electronicmodule (including a wireless power receiver, control circuitry and/orcharging circuitry), and one or more sensors to sense operatingparameters of the heating system and the temperature of the breadbasket. In one embodiment, the bread basket or bread warmer can have aheating system (e.g. one or more heating elements), one or more powerstorage elements (e.g. battery or capacitor) and a thermostat circuit(or can exclude a thermostat circuit). In this embodiment, the one ormore power storage elements within the bread basket or bread warmer canbe charged via inductive coupling, or other wireless powerconfigurations, or via electrical contacts on the bread basket or breadwarmer, or via a connection cable, or the one or more power storageelements can be removable and charged on a charging station. In anotherembodiment, the power storage elements can be excluded. In thisembodiment, the bread warmer or bread basket can receive power viawireless power or via electrical contacts or a connection cable and canuse said power to activate one or more heating elements within the breadwarmer or bread basket. This embodiment can be used to pre-heat thebread basket or bread warmer, or the electrical connection can bemaintained and the bread basket or bread warmer can stay actively heatedwhile the bread is being served. A thermostat circuit can also be used,optionally, within this embodiment. The operation of the heating systemin the bread basket 2200 or bread warmer can be similar to thatdisclosed herein for other embodiments (e.g., the plate 100; bowl;serving dish; mugs 400; travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100; beer mug1600, etc.).

Tortilla Warmer

FIG. 42 shows a tortilla warmer 2300 that can have a container 2310 anda cover 2320 and can include many of the features discussed above withrespect to the plate 100, bowl, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, 1700A, 2000, 2100. In particular, the tortilla warmer 2300 caninclude a heating system (not shown), which can include one or moreheating elements, an electronic module (including a wireless powerreceiver, control circuitry and/or charging circuitry), and one or moresensors to sense operating parameters of the heating system and thetemperature of the tortilla warmer. In one embodiment, the tortillawarmer can have a heating system (e.g. one or more heating elements),one or more power storage elements (e.g. battery or capacitor) and athermostat circuit (or can exclude a thermostat circuit). In thisembodiment, the one or more power storage elements within the tortillawarmer can be charged via inductive coupling, or other wireless powerconfigurations, or via electrical contacts on the tortilla warmer, orvia a connection cable, or the one or more power storage elements can beremovable and charged on a charging station. In another embodiment, thepower storage elements can be excluded. In this embodiment, the tortillawarmer can receive power via wireless power or via electrical contactsor a connection cable and can use said power to activate one or moreheating elements within the tortilla warmer. This embodiment can be usedto pre-heat the tortilla warmer, or the electrical connection can bemaintained and the tortilla warmer can stay actively heated while thetortillas are being served. A thermostat circuit can also be used,optionally, within this embodiment. The operation of the heating systemin the tortilla warmer 2300 can be similar to that disclosed herein forother embodiments (e.g., the plate 100; bowl; serving dish; mugs 400;travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100; beer mug 1600, etc.).

Electric Hand Warmer

FIG. 43 shows one embodiment of a mug 2400 with an electric hand warmer2410. The mug 2400 can have some or all of the same features asdiscussed above for the mug 400, or travel mug 600, 1700A, 2100, 2200,including a heating or cooling system with one or more heating orcooling elements, an electronic module (with a wireless power receiver,control circuitry, and optionally charging circuitry), and optionallyone or more power storage devices (e.g., batteries, capacitors). In theillustrated embodiment, the hand warmer 2410 can have one or moreheating elements 2412 on an outer surface 2414 of the mug 2400 or ahandle (not shown) of the mug 2400, where the one or more heatingelements 2412 (e.g., heater wire, thermoelectric elements, resistiveheaters, etc.) can be activated (e.g., selectively activated orautomatically activated) to warm an outer surface 2414 of the mug 2400,so that the user's hands can be warmed as the user holds the mug 2400.The one or more heating elements 2412 can in one embodiment bedistributed around a portion of the outside circumference of the mug2400 and attached to, coupled to, embedded in or otherwise incorporatedin an outer surface 2414 of the mug 2400 (e.g., disposed beneath anouter layer of the mug 2400). In another embodiment, the one or moreheating elements can be elsewhere within the mug or travel mug and canbe in thermal communication with an outer surface 2410 of the mug ortravel mug (e.g. the heat energy can be conducted to the outer surfacefrom a heat source located anywhere within the mug or travel mug).

In one embodiment, the heat generated from the heating or cooling systemwithin the mug (i.e. the heating or cooling system that actively heatsor cools the liquid within the mug or travel mug) can be used to conductheat to a hand warmer feature (e.g. the heat energy from the heating orcooling system can be conducted to an outer surface 2410 of the mug ortravel mug and act as a hand warmer feature). The hand warmer 2410 canin one embodiment be automatically activated (e.g., via the controlcircuitry of the mug 2400) when the mug 2400 is used, such as when aliquid is poured into the mug 2400 (e.g., when the presence of liquid issensed, as discussed in embodiments herein). In another embodiment, thehand warmer 2410 can be selectively actuated (e.g., turned on, off, orto selected temperature set points such as high, medium, low, or aspecific temperature) by the user via a user interface (such as the userinterface 695, 1710A) on the mug 2400, which communicates the user'sinstructions to the control circuitry of the mug 2400. In still anotherembodiment, the hand warmer 2410 can be selectively actuated (e.g.,turned on, off, or to selected temperature set points such as high,medium, low, or a specific temperature) by the user via a user interfaceon an electronic device (e.g., mobile electronic device such as themobile phone 1750A) that communicates with the mug 2400 (e.g.,communicates with the control circuitry of the mug 2400) via the cloudor a Bluetooth connection. In yet another embodiment, a temperaturesensor on the mug 2400 (e.g., on an outer surface of the mug 2400) cansense the ambient temperature and actuate (e.g., automatically actuatevia the control circuitry) the hand warmer 2410 if the sensed ambienttemperature is below a predetermined set point or range. In oneembodiment, operation of the hand warmer 2410 can be powered by one ormore power storage devices (e.g., batteries, capacitors, etc.). In oneembodiment, a mug or travel mug can have an electric hand warmerfeature, one or more power storage elements (to power the hand warmer)and control circuitry (to turn on or off the hand warmer, or to controlcertain preset temperature set points, etc.). In this embodiment, a userinterface can optionally be included, which can allow the user to selectcertain hand warmer operation modes, or temperature modes, or othersettings that effect the operation of the hand warmer feature.

Though the electric hand warmer disclosed above may be described inconnection with a mug 2400, one of skill in the art will recognize thatit can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware orserverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate), including the plate100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500, bread basket 2200,tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

Chilled Dishware

In one embodiment, a cup, mug, travel mug, beer mug, beverage containeror other liquid container (such as the mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600) can have one or more thermoelectricelements configured to cool the liquid within the cup, mug, travel mug,beer mug, beverage container or other liquid container, one or more heatsinks thermally coupled to said one or more thermoelectric elements, andan active cooling device (such as a fan, diaphragm, etc.) which can moveair across said one or more heat sinks. This airflow can advantageouslyincrease the productivity of the one or more thermoelectric elements andcan create a colder beverage temperature within the cup, mug, travelmug, beer mug, beverage container or other liquid container. In oneembodiment, the cooling fan can be a water resistant or water proofcooling fan and air flow can be ducted to the location of the heat sink.The use of a waterproof or water resistant cooling fan can enable thecreation of a dishwasher safe or water safe cup, mug, travel mug, beermug, beverage container or other liquid container. In anotherembodiment, a water resistant or water proof diaphragm can be used tocreate said airflow. The cup, mug, travel mug, beer mug, beveragecontainer or other liquid container described in this paragraph caninclude any of the features described above or below of the plate 100;bowl; serving dish; mug 400; travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100; beer mug1600, etc. (e.g. power storage elements, wireless communications,wireless power, user-interface, electronics module, etc.).

Wand

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers canbe actuated with a wand 1000 (see FIG. 19) that can be waived over oneor more of the plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers to turn the heating orcooling element 60, 460, 660 on or off, or to set a desired temperatureor turn on or off other features For example, when a plurality of plates100 (or bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, waterbottles or liquid containers) are laid out and arranged on a counter(e.g., kitchen counter) or a table, the wand 1000 can be passed over theplates 100 (or bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups,water bottles or liquid containers) to turn the heating or coolingelement 60, 460, 660 on or off, or to set an operating parameter of theone or more plates 100 (or bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers), as described below. Theone or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers can have a receiver (e.g.,an RF receiver) that can receive a signal (e.g., RF signal) from thewand 1000 as the wand 1000 passes over them. In another embodiment, thewand 1000 can transmit at a certain frequency, or using a magnet ormagnetic field that changes a state in the electronics of the one ormore plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups,water bottles or liquid containers that can, for example, communicateinstructions to the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers (e.g.,via the electric module 90, 490, 690) to turn on. In one embodiment, thewand 1000 and one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers can form aninductive loop that when the wand gets close to the plates 100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquidcontainers (e.g., within 3-6 inches, or less than 3 inches, or more than6 inches), the inductive loop being charged (e.g., RFID passive loopsensing). The RFID loop in the one or more plates 100, bowls, servingdishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquidcontainers can be energized when the wand 1000 passes over it, changingthe state of the electronics from a first state to a second state toturn the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travelmugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers on, or to turn on awireless receiver which can then receive a signal from the wand 1000with a given command (e.g. temperature mode setting, etc.).

In another embodiment, the wand 1000 can be used to communicateoperational information or instructions to the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles orliquid containers. For example, the wand 1000 can be used to communicateone or more predetermined temperature set points or power settings. Forexample, the wand 1000 can have a user interface 1010 allowing the userto select a predetermined temperature set point or power setting and tocommunicate the information to the one or more plates 100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquidcontainers as the wand 1000 is waved over them. Additionally, the wand1000 can be used to turn on or off limited function modes (as describedfurther below) on one or more of the plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers.More generally, the wand 1000 can perform a data upload to, and/or datadownload from, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers.

In one embodiment, the wand 1000 can transmit an RF signal at a certainfrequency to transmit instructions to the one or more plates 100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquidcontainers. In other embodiments, the wand 1000 can transmit in otherfrequencies to the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers.

In another embodiment, the wand 1000 can communicate with the one ormore plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups,water bottles or liquid containers via IR or other types of opticaltransmission.

Though the wand 1000 disclosed above may be described in connection witha plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skill in the art willrecognize that it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/orliquid container), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300,1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

User Interface

FIG. 20 shows another embodiment of a plate 1100, bowl or serving dish.The plate 1100 is similar to the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′ describedabove and includes the same components (with the same numericalidentifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,except as noted below.

In one embodiment, the plate 1100, bowl or serving dish (or mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container) can have a userinterface 1110 that can include one or more soft touch or touch switchbuttons 1120 electrically connected to the electronic module 90, 490,690 to operate the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655. For example,the one or more soft touch or touch switch buttons 1120 can be actuatedby a user (e.g., can sense the electricity or resistance in the user'sbody when touched, such as capacitive touch sensing) to turn on or offthe one or more heating elements 60, 460, 600 of the plate 1100, bowl,or serving dish (or mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer). In another embodiment, the one or more soft touch or touchswitch buttons 1120 can be actuated to provide a predeterminedtemperature set point (e.g., low, medium, high, or specific temperaturesettings) to the one or more heating elements 60, 460, 600 in the one ormore plates 1100, bowls, or serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600,cups, water bottles or liquid containers. For example, the one or moresoft touch or touch switch buttons 1120 can operate like a toggleswitch, where the user can touch the button 1120 one time to turn theheating or cooling system 55, 455, 655 on, touch it a second time to setthe operation of the heating or cooling element 60, 60, 660 to a firstlevel (e.g., low), touch a third time to set the operation of theheating or cooling element 60, 60, 660 to a second level (e.g., medium),touch a fourth time to set the operation of the heating or coolingelement 60, 60, 660 to a third level (e.g., high), and touch a fifthtime to turn the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660 off. In anotherembodiment, the first touch of the soft touch or touch switch button1120 can both turn the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655 on and setthe operation of the heating or cooling element 60, 60, 660 to the firstlevel (e.g., low). The user-interface controls on the plate 1100, bowl,serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer can also be other suitable user-interface mechanisms such as apush-button switch, slide switch, rocker switch, dial or wheel, etc.

With respect to the one or more plates 1100, bowls or serving dishes,the one or more soft touch or touch switch buttons 1120 can be locatedon a rim 1130 of the plate 1100, bowl or serving dish. In oneembodiment, the one or more soft touch or touch switch buttons 1120 onthe plate 1100, bowl or serving dish can be a set of three soft touchbuttons on the rim 1130 of the plate 1100, bowl or serving dish and caneach be backlit (e.g., with white light). The three soft touch buttons1120 can correspond to different operating levels (e.g., low, medium,high) or temperatures (e.g., 130° F., 165° F., 200° F.) at which theheating or cooling element 60, 60′ of the plate 1100, bowl or servingdish is to operate when the button 1120 is actuated. In one embodiment,multiple soft touch or touch switch buttons 830 can be located along theperiphery of the plate 800′ or serving dish, each button 830 associatedwith one of a plurality of heating or cooling elements 860A-860D (e.g.,where different sections, such as quadrants, of the plate 800′, bowl orserving dish have separate heating or cooling elements 860A-860Dassociated with them), as shown in FIG. 17. In one embodiment, the userinterface 1110 on the one or more plates 1100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers caninclude one or more visual indicators 1140 (e.g., located on a rim 1130of the plate 1100, bowl or serving dish or located on the side or top ofa cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, water bottle or liquid container) thatcan indicate an operating condition or parameter of the one or moreplates 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups,water bottles or liquid containers. For example, the one or more visualindicators 1140 can display operating information, such as charge level,power level, selected temperature, etc. The visual indicator 1140 can beone or more of an LED, glowing light, or digital screen; however, othersuitable visual indicators can be used. In one embodiment, the userinterface can be behind a tinted semi-transparent layer of plastic sothat when the screen goes dark, the user interface screen isunnoticeable as it is behind the layer of plastic. When the screen isactivated by the electronic module 90, 490, 690, it illuminates throughthe translucent plastic layer (e.g., tinted plastic or frosted plasticor colored plastic). The screen can be automatically activated whenliquid is sensed in the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container or when food is sensed on the plate, bowl or servingdish and can display one or more parameters (e.g. liquid temperature orfood temperature or user-selected temperature mode). The user interfaceon the plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup,water bottle or liquid container can have one or more buttons (e.g.,soft touch buttons) that the user can toggle to change the operation ofthe heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655. For example, the user cantoggle the one or more buttons to change the power level or temperaturesetting for the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660, or to changebetween different operating functions of the plate 1100, bowl, servingdish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. Inanother embodiment, the user can press and hold the button to increasethe temperature setting for the plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container, which canincrease in predetermined temperature increments (e.g., 5° F.increments) until a maximum temperature setting is reached, after whichcontinued pressing of the button can cause the temperature setting tobegin incrementing again from the minimum temperature setting. Once theuser stops pressing the button, the operating temperature will be setfor the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660 in the plate 1100, bowl,serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer.

As discussed above, the one or more buttons (e.g., buttons 1120) can bepressed to toggle between different functions, one of which can be thetemperature setting for the plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. Toggling thebutton again can have the electronic module 90, 490, 690 display on theuser interface the charge level of the one or more batteries 80, 480,680 in the plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup,water bottle or liquid container. Toggling again the button can have theelectronic module 90, 490, 690 display the Bluetooth pairing mode, orallow the user to pair the plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container to a desiredmobile electronic device (e.g., by pressing and holding the button).Once paired, the mobile electronic device can then receive information(e.g., temperature, battery charge level, liquid level) from the plate1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container, as well as transmit instruction (e.g., temperaturesetting, power setting, on or off, etc.) to the plate 1100, bowl,serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer.

In one embodiment, the one or more soft touch or touch switch buttons(such as buttons 1120 in FIG. 20) can glow or be lit once actuated by auser to signify that the associated heating or cooling element 60, 460,660 is operating. For example, the soft touch or touch switch buttonscan be backlit (e.g., with one or more LEDs or electroluminescence orOLEDs). Similarly, the soft touch or touch switch buttons can be unlitor not glow when the associated heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660is not in operation. In another embodiment, the electronic module 90,490, 690 can additionally (or alternatively) cause an audible sound(e.g., from a piezo speaker incorporated into the one or more plates1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, waterbottles or liquid containers) to be generated when the user presses theone or more soft touch or touch switch buttons (or any other type ofbutton, dial or switch).

Though the user interface disclosed above may be described in connectionwith a plate 1100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skill in the artwill recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,900, 1300, 1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, babybottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scopeof disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Actuation

In one embodiment, the electronic module 90 can control the heating orcooling system 55 of the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers toactuate or turn on when they are removed from their associated chargingstation, such as the charging station 1700 described below. For example,in one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers canhave a sensor (e.g., proximity sensor, magnet, electrical currentremoval detector, etc.) in communication with the electronic module 90,490, 690, where the proximity sensor sends a signal to the electronicmodule 90, 490, 690 when the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container is removed fromthe charging stand, and the electronic module 90, 490, 690 turns onpower to the heating or cooling element 60, 60′, 460, 660 based at leastin part on said signal. In another embodiment, the electronic module 90,490, 690 can place the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers instandby mode when removed from the charging stand, but does not turn onthe one or more heating or cooling elements 60, 60′, 460, 660, which canthereafter be turned on, for example, via user actuation of the one ormore soft touch buttons (such as the buttons 830, 1120), use of awireless remote control or mobile electronic device, or wand 1000, orliquid or food sensing as described in the embodiments above.

Though the actuation functionality disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skill inthe art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1100, 1300, 1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600,baby bottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and thescope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Charging Station

FIGS. 21-24A show one embodiment of a charging station 1700 or chargingstand. In one embodiment, the charging station 1700 can have a userinterface 1710 that communicates with the electronic module 90, 490, 690in the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers. For example,the user interface 1710 on the charging station 1700 can be actuated bythe user to set one or more operating parameters of the one or moreplates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600,cups, water bottles or liquid containers, such as user selectedpredetermined temperature set points or power setting modes.

With respect to the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or servingdishes, the user can actuate one or more buttons on the charging station1700 that holds a plurality of plates 100, 1100 (e.g., be a chargingstand that holds the plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes instacked form, as shown in FIG. 23, such as suspended from a base surfaceof the charging station). The user can set the desired operatingtemperature or power level for each of the plurality of plates 100,1100, bowls or serving dishes (e.g., set either individually for eachplate 100, bowl or serving dish, or set for all plates 100, bowls orserving dishes at once with one command), said instructions communicatedfrom the user interface 1710 on the charging stand 1700 to theelectronic module 90 in the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes (e.g., via wireless communication such as RF, or viaelectrical contacts on the charging station 1700 that interface withcorresponding electrical contacts on the plates, bowls or servingdishes, such as contacts 46′″ in FIG. 3A). Subsequently, when the one ormore plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes are removed from thecharging station 1700 (as shown in FIG. 24), the electronic module 90can automatically turn the heating or cooling element 60, 60′ in the oneor more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes on to the pre-selectedtemperature or power setting (e.g., low, medium, high) previouslyselected by the user via the interface 1710 (e.g., stored in a memory,such as Flash memory on the electronic module 90, 490, 690) while theone or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes were on thecharging station 1700.

In another embodiment, the user can actuate one or more buttons on thecharging station 1700 while the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes are positioned on the charging station 1700 to instructat least one of the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or servingdishes to not turn on when the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes is removed from the charging station 1700, allowing theheating or cooling system 55 in the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowlsor serving dishes to remain off, or in a standby mode when removed fromthe charging station 1700. The user can then separately turn on theheating or cooling element 60, 60′ in the one or more plates 100, 1100,bowls or serving dishes (e.g., via actuation of the one or more softtouch buttons on the plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes, use ofthe wireless remote control or mobile electronic device, or via thewand, as described above). In another embodiment, the user-interfacebuttons 1710 on the charging station 1700 can be used to put the one ormore plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes into a given mode (e.g.temperature mode or power level mode) or to activate other featureswithin the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes. Inanother embodiment, the user-interface 1710 on the charging station 1700can be used to communicate certain information to the one or more plates100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes (e.g. the username of a user,favorite setting, icon selection, the ambient temperature, etc.) Inanother embodiment, the user can actuate one or more buttons 1710 on thecharging station 1700 while the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes are not on the charging station 1700 (e.g. the plate orplates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes are on the counter or on thedinner table and the user can turn one or more of the plates 100, 1100,bowls or serving dishes on from the charging station 1700 via an RFtransmitter in the charging station 1700). In this embodiment, thecharging station 1700 operates as a wireless remote to control the oneor more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes. Said buttons orinterface 1710 on the charging station 1700 can be a soft touch button,touch switch, push button switch, slider switch, dial or any other meansof user-interface control. The charging base 1700 and charging basefunctions described in this paragraph can also be for other embodimentsof the invention such as one or more bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers.

The user interface 1710 on the charging station 1700 can have one ormore visual indicators 1720 showing a charging status or level (e.g.,percentage of battery power) of the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowlsor serving dishes positioned on the charging station 1700 (e.g., onevisual charging indicator for each plate 100, 1100, bowl or servingdish). For example, the charging station 1700 can have a plurality ofvisual indicators 1720, each associated with one plate 100, 1100, bowlor serving dish positioned on the charging station 1700, and showing thecharging status or level for the battery 80 of the associated plate 100,1100, bowl or serving dish. The one or more visual indicators 1720 canalso show the user selected temperature set point or power level for theone or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes on the chargingstation 1700. A charging station for the mug 400 or travel mug 600 canhave a similar user interface and one or more visual indicators.

In one embodiment, the charging station 1700 or stand that can hold aplurality of plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes (e.g., can holdfour plates, or more, or less) can charge the plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes via one or more direct electrical connections between thecharging station 1700 and the plates 100. In another embodiment, thecharging station 1700 or stand can charge the plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes via inductive coupling, as discussed above. In oneembodiment, the charging station can have an inductive coupling column1740 (e.g., a vertically oriented inductive coupling system), with oneor more inductive coupling transmitters 1730 that inductively couplewith a plurality of plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes positionedon the charging station 1700 or stand. In one embodiment, the pluralityof inductive coupling transmitters 1730 can be in a linear array, as tointerface with a plurality of plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes.

The charging station 1700 can have a plurality of inductive couplingtransmitters 1730, e.g., in the shape of a slanted ledge 1732, whereeach transmitter 1730 can couple to at least a portion of an underside(e.g., an underside of the rim) of a corresponding plate 100, 1100, bowlor serving dish (as shown in FIGS. 23-24) on the charging station 1700to inductively couple to the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish.However in other embodiments, the inductive coupling transmitters 1730can have other shapes and can inductively couple to other areas of acorresponding plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish (e.g., an edge ofthe plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish, a bottom of the plate 100,1100, bowl or serving dish, a cylindrical female/male port within theplate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish, or other section of the plate100, 1100, bowl or serving dish). In another embodiment, the inductivecoupling charging station or stand can be in a horizontal orientation,so that the plurality of plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes canbe vertically oriented similar to the way a plate sits in thedishwasher. In another embodiment, the inductive coupling chargingstation can be integrated into a dishwasher so that the plates 100,1100, bowls or serving dishes can be charged while they are in thedishwasher. The charging station and charging station functionsdescribed in this paragraph can also be for other embodiments of theinvention such as one or more bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travelmugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers.

FIG. 24B shows another embodiment of a charging station 1700′, which canbe similar to the charging station 200, 300, 500, 700, 1700, except asdescribed below. The charging station 1700′ can include a resonantcoupling wireless power transmitter 1770 (e.g., resonant couplingwireless power transmitter) that can transmit power to one or more(e.g., a plurality of) plates 100 800, 900, 1100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containerswithout the use of repeater circuits in the plates 100 800, 900, 1100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles orliquid containers so that the power transmission 1772 radiates throughthe units stacked on the charging station 1700′. The resonant couplingwireless power transmitter 1770 can optionally be located in a baseportion of the charging station 1700′.

FIG. 24C shows another embodiment of a charging station 1700″, which canbe similar to the charging station 200, 300, 500, 700, 1700, 1700′except as described below. The charging station 1700″ can include awireless power transmitter 1770′ that can transmit power to one or more(e.g., a plurality of) plates 100 800, 900, 1100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers.Each of the plates 100 800, 900, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers can have arepeater circuit so that power transmission 1772′ is provided by each ofthe units to an adjacent unit to provide wireless power thereto. Thewireless power transmitter 1770″ (e.g., resonant coupling wireless powertransmitter or inductive coupling wireless power transmitter) canoptionally be located in a base portion of the charging station 1700″.

In another embodiment, the charging station (e.g. 300, 500, 700, 1700)can be sized to accommodate one plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container, respectively. Thecharging station can have one or more visual indicators, which canindicate an operating condition of the charging station and/or plate100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle orliquid container. For example, the one or more visual indicators can bean indicator light that illuminates when the plate 100, bowl, servingdish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container ischarging, or has completed its charging, or an indicator to illustratethe current percentage of charge level.

Though the charging station and charging station functions disclosedabove may be described in connection with a plate 100, 1100, one ofskill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware. Additionally, though the charging station functionsdisclosed above are described in connection with the charging station1700 one of skill in the art will recognize that these functions canalso apply to the charging base 200, 300, 500, and 700.

Preheat Mode

In one embodiment, the charging station 1700 can have one or morebuttons 1710 (e.g., three buttons) on its user interface 1710 fordifferent temperature set points (e.g., 130° F., 165° F., 200° F.) oroperating levels (e.g., low, medium, high), which can be actuated by theuser to initiate a preheat mode for the one or more plates 100, 1100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles orliquid containers positioned on the charging station 1700 or stand. Inone embodiment, the one or more buttons 1710 can control a preheatfeature for all of the plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containerspositioned on the charging stand 1700 (e.g., control allsimultaneously). In another embodiment, separate sets of buttons can beprovided on the charging station 1700, each set of buttons associatedwith one charging location that receives one plate 100, 1100, bowl,serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer thereon for charging on the charging station.

Once a user presses the one or more preheat buttons 1710 on the chargingstation 1700, the charging station 1700 will communicate instructions tothe electronic module 90 of the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquidcontainers to turn on the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660 to theuser selected temperature or power level mode. In said preheat mode,power to the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660 in the plates 100,1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, waterbottles or liquid containers can be provided by the charging station1700 (e.g., via inductive coupling or electrical contacts), rather thanfrom the one or more batteries 80, 480, 680 within the plates 100, 1100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles orliquid containers, thereby conserving battery power. Once the desiredpreheat temperature has been obtained, a visual indicator light 1720 onthe charging station 1700 can change color (e.g., change to a greenlight) to indicate to the user that the pre-selected preheat temperaturehas been obtained and that the plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers canbe removed. Other suitable indicators can be used to indicate to theuser that the selected preheat temperature has been obtained (e.g.audible sound, flashing light, digital screen with a message or an icon,glowing icon, etc.).

Once the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers are removedfrom the charging station 1700, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 canoperate the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660 with the one or moreelectrical energy storage elements (e.g., batteries) 80, 480, 680 tomaintain a user selected temperature. In another embodiment, the one ormore plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600,cups, water bottles or liquid containers need not have an energy storagedevice, and can receive its power from the charging station 1700 (e.g.via inductive coupling or electrical contacts) for the purpose ofpreheating the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers. Onceremoved from the charging station 1700 (or preheat station) the one ormore plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600,cups, water bottles or liquid containers would eventually cool down overtime, in accordance with the heat dissipation characteristics of thematerial of the plate 100, 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug600, cup, water bottle or liquid container. Thermal materials can beused to prolong the amount of time that the plate 100, 1100, bowl,serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer stays hot (e.g. phase change material, etc.). In oneembodiment, the said plate 100, 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container can have aninductive coupling receiver and a heating or cooling element (e.g.,heating or cooling element 60). In another embodiment, there can beother circuitry in the said plate 100, 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquid container such as atemperature sensor (e.g., the temperature sensors 820A-820D, 920) and anelectronics module (e.g., electronic module 90) which can regulate thetemperature of the heating or cooling element. In another embodiment,the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers would receivedifferent levels of power from the charging station (preheat station)based on a user-selected temperature or power setting.

The one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers can also havea visual indicator light (e.g., on a side wall or an edge or rim, suchas visual indicator light 1140 on plate 1100)) to indicate when theplate 100, 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, waterbottle or liquid container is in preheat mode on the charging station1700 (e.g., a red light, or a glowing icon or a flashing light), or whenthe preheat mode has been completed and the desired temperature has beenobtained (e.g., a green light or a glowing icon, or flashing light,etc.).

Though the preheat mode disclosed above may be described in connectionwith a plate 100, 1100 mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skill in theart will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1300, 1400, cup, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, babybottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300 etc. and the scopeof disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware. Additionally, though thepreheat mode disclosed above is described in connection with thecharging station 1700 one of skill in the art will recognize that thisfeature can also apply to the charging base 200, 300, 500, and 700.

Limited Function Mode

In one embodiment, the charging station 1700 can have one or morelimited function switches 1750 that can be actuated by the user to limitthe function of the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or servingdishes associated with the charging location on the charging station1700 or stand. In one embodiment, the limited function switch 1750 candisable one or more operating temperatures or modes of the plate 100,1100 (e.g., via communication of instructions from the charging station1700 to the electronic module 90 of the one or more plates 100, 1100,bowls or serving dishes). For example, the limited function switch 1750can disable a high and medium operating temperature or power level inthe plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes, thereby allowing theplate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish to operate in only a low operatingtemperature or power level. Such a limited function mode can be used,for example, when the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish will holdfood for a child (to inhibit the risk of injury). In another embodiment,the limited function switch 1750 can also (or alternatively) be locatedon the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes themselves(e.g., can be a soft touch, touch switch button or any other type ofswitch on a rim of the plate 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes orunderneath the plate, bowl or serving dish). In one embodiment, the oneor more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes can have a visualindicator (e.g., a backlit icon, glowing light, or other indicator onthe rim or other location of the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish,such as indicator 1150 on plate 1100) that can indicate whether thelimited function mode is turned on.

In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more limited functionswitches 1750 on the charging station 1700 can be a two position sliderswitch on a surface (e.g., a back surface) of the charging station 1700that can be used as a child lock switch. The switch can be actuatedbetween a “Child lock On” and a “Child lock Off” state. The “Child lockOn” state can limit the power level or temperature in one or more of theplates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes on the charging station 1700to the low power level or temperature (e.g., via communication with theelectronic module 90), and a padlock icon on the plate, such as thepadlock icon 1150 of plate 1100, bowl or serving dish in FIG. 20 (e.g.,on the front side of the plate) can be illuminated (e.g., greenbacklight) when the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish is removedfrom the charging station 1700 to illustrate that the plate 100, 1100,bowl or serving dish is in Child lock mode. If the user then touches thebutton (e.g., soft touch button, such as the soft touch button 1120 ofplate 1100) associated with the low power level or temperature (e.g.,130° F.), the electronic module 90 will turn the heating or coolingelement 60 on and operate it at that level. If the user touches anotherbutton (e.g., soft touch button, such as the soft touch button 1120 ofplate 1100) on the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish to try tochange the mode of operation of the plate 100, 1100, bowl or servingdish to a higher temperature setting, the electronic module 90 willcause the glowing child lock icon to flash or strobe to indicate to theuser that the child lock is on and that the plate 100, 1100, bowl orserving dish cannot be changed to a higher temperature mode. In oneembodiment, a user can disable the child lock mode on the plate 100,1100, bowl or serving dish as discussed further below by entering, forexample, an unlock combination button-push sequence (e.g., pushing thetemperature mode buttons in a specific order). Once the plate 100, 1100,bowl or serving dish is again placed on the charging station 1700, andthe child lock switch 1750 (or limited function switch) on the chargingstation 1700 is on, the charging station 1700 will communicateinstructions to the electronic module 90 of the plate 100, 1100, bowl orserving dish to again turn on the child lock mode back on, so that thenext time the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish is removed from thecharging station 1700 it will again be in child lock mode.

In one embodiment, limited function mode (e.g., child lock mode) can bemanually disabled or overridden in one or more ways (e.g. by pushing andholding predetermined buttons for a period of time, or pushing acombination of buttons in a predetermined sequence on the chargingstation or one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes). Inanother embodiment, the limited function mode can be actuated ordisabled using a wireless remote control, mobile electronic device orwand, as discussed above.

Though the user limited function mode and child lock mode featuresdisclosed above may be described in connection with a plate 100, 1100,one of skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to anyliquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, servingdish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate,100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1300, 1400, mug 400 or travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500, bread basket 2200,tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the inventionis understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

Water Tight and Dishwasher Safe

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers canbe water tight, thereby inhibiting damage to the electronic andelectrical components. In one embodiment the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles orliquid containers can be submersible up to 1 meter. However, in otherembodiments, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers can besubmersible to depths lower or greater than this.

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers canbe constructed so as to withstand temperatures of up to 200° F., therebybeing suitable for cleaning in high temperature dishwashers, includingcommercial dishwashers with a sanitation cycle of about 180° F. Inanother embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers canbe sealed (e.g., via the bottom portion or member 40, 440, 640) so as toinhibit exposure of the electronics and electrical components to liquids(e.g., chemical bath during cleaning in a dishwasher).

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers caninclude liquid shielding technology to protect the circuitry andelectrical components from water damage. For example, DRYWIRED™,LIQUIPEL™ or HZO WATERBLACK™ can be used to protect the electronics inthe one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, cups, water bottles or liquid containers. Such liquid sealingtechnology can be used in addition to, or instead of the one or morewater tight sealed compartments or cavities in the plate 100, bowl,serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup, water bottle or liquidcontainer.

Though the water tight and dishwasher safe features disclosed above maybe described in connection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600,one of skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to anyliquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, servingdish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understoodto cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Bottom Glow

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100 can have a visualindicator on the bottom of the plates 100, which are illuminated (e.g.,controlled by the electronic module 90) when the heating or coolingelement 60, 60′ is in operation. For example, a multicolor LED (e.g., ina graphic LED grid) can be provided on the base of each of the plates100 and when the one or more plates 100 are placed on a counter, the LEDcauses a soft glow to radiate (e.g., at a plurality of differentbrightness levels) from under each plate 100. The electronic module 90can control the operation of the multicolor LED to glow in a first color(e.g., red) when the heating or cooling element 60 is on, to glow in asecond color when the plate 100, bowl or serving dish is in a standbymode, or to glow in a third color when the plate 100, bowl or servingdish is in a preheat mode (described above) on the charging station. Inanother embodiment, the lighting on the underside of the plate can beone color only.

Though the preheat mode disclosed above may be described in connectionwith a plate 100, one of skill in the art will recognize that it canalso apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware(e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400 ortravel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Hot Plate or Cooled Plate

FIGS. 25-26 show one embodiment of a hot or cooled plate 1200. The hotor cooled plate 1200 is similar to the plate 100, 100′ described aboveand includes the same components (with the same numerical identifiers)and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′ described above, exceptas noted below.

The hot or cooled plate 1200 can have a generally flat top surface 1220Aand can receive thereon one or more plates, bowls, serving dishes, mugs,travel mugs, cups, water bottles or liquid containers (e.g.,conventional dishware or drinkware) to heat the dishware or drinkware(e.g., before or after it has received a hot food item (e.g., steak)),or to chill the dishware or drinkware (e.g., before or after it hasreceived a cold food item (e.g., salad)). The hot or cooled plate 1200can operate in a similar manner as the plate 100, 100′ and can have oneor more of the features disclosed in connection with the description ofthe operation of the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, orbaby bottle 1500. For example, the hot or cooled plate 1200 caninterface with a charging station, in a similar manner as the plate 100,100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, and be actuated by a wand 1000 or otherremote control mechanism or mobile electronic device.

Removable Battery Pack

FIGS. 27 and 28 show another embodiment of a plate 1300, bowl or servingdish. The plate 1300 is similar to the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900described above and includes the same components (with the samenumerical identifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, except as noted below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 1300 can have a removablebattery pack 80′ that removably couples to a bottom of the plate 1300.In one embodiment, the battery pack 80′ can have an electrical contact82′ that contacts an electrical contact 1330 on the plate 1300 toelectrically connect the battery pack 80′ to the plate 1300 (e.g., toprovide power to the electronic module 90, including the controllercircuit 94 and charging circuit 96, and the heating or cooling element60). In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical contact 82′ is ringshaped; however, the electrical contact 82′ can have other shapes. Inone embodiment, the electrical contact 82′ can be an electrical contactstrip (e.g., a gold plated electrical contact strip), though in otherembodiments the electrical contact 82′ can have other suitable types ormade of other suitable materials. Advantageously, the electrical contact82′ is shaped so that the electrical connection between the battery pack80′ and plate 1300 can be provided irrespective of the rotationalorientation of the battery pack 80′ when coupled to the plate 1300.

The battery pack 80′ can have a threaded portion 84′ that can mate witha threaded portion 1340 in a bottom of the plate 1300 to mechanicallycouple the battery pack 80′ to the plate 1300. However, other suitablemechanisms can be used to mechanically couple the battery pack 80′ tothe plate 1300 (e.g., tab and groove structure, press-fit connection).The battery pack 80′ can have a user handle or grip member 86′ to allowthe user to hold and couple the battery pack 80′ to the plate 1300.

The threaded connection between the battery pack 80′ and the plate 1300can substantially seal the bottom of the plate 1300 in a water tightmanner, as discussed above. In one embodiment, the battery pack 80′ canbe sized to define substantially the entire base of the plate 1300 whencoupled to the plate 1300. In another embodiment, the battery pack 80′can be sized to define only a portion of the base (e.g., less than theentire base) of the plate 1300.

Though the battery pack feature disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 1300, one of skill in the art will recognizethat it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware orserverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquidcontainer), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, mug 400or travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Removable Base

FIGS. 29-30 show another embodiment of a plate 1400, bowl or servingdish. The plate 1400 is similar to the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900described above and includes the same components (with the samenumerical identifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, except as noted below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 1400 can have a bottom portion(or base) 40′ that can be removably coupled to a bottom of the plate1400 to substantially seal a compartment or cavity 50 in the bottom ofthe plate 1400 that houses the heating or cooling system 55, includingthe insulative member 70 and one or more electrical energy storagedevices 80 (e.g., batteries). In the illustrated embodiment, the bottomportion 40′ can be removably coupled to the bottom of the plate 1400with one or more fasteners 46′ (e.g., screws, bolts, pins, or othersuitable fasteners). In one embodiment, the one or more fasteners 46′can extend through the bottom portion 40′ and couple to a couplingmember 56′ (e.g., female threaded portion, grommet) in the body 1410 ofthe plate 1400. The bottom portion 40′ can couple to the body 1410 ofthe plate 1400 so as to substantially seal the bottom of the plate 1300in a water tight manner, as discussed above.

Though the removable feature disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 1400, one of skill in the art will recognizethat it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware orserverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquidcontainer), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, mug 400or travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Liquid Container (e.g., Baby Bottle)

FIGS. 31-32 show another embodiment of a liquid container 1500. In theillustrated embodiment, the liquid container 1500 is a baby bottle. Theliquid container 1500 is similar to the mug 400 and travel mug 600described above and includes the same components (with the samenumerical identifiers) and features disclosed for the mug 400 and travelmug 600 described above, except as noted below.

The baby bottle 1500 can have a body 1510 that defines a liquid holdingchamber 1518 therein and a bottom surface 1520. The baby bottle 1500 canhave a heating or cooling system 1555, similar to the heating or coolingsystem 455, 655 described above, and have a heating or cooling element1560, an insulative member 1570, one or more electrical energy storagedevices 1580 and an electronic module 1590, which can include a wirelesspower receiver 1592, a control circuitry 1594 and a charging circuit1596. The heating or cooling system 1555 can function in the same way asdescribed above for the heating or cooling system 55, 155, 655. Inanother embodiment, the baby bottle 1500 can have one or more electricalcontacts (e.g., electrical contacts on a surface of the baby bottle1500) that can contact electrical contacts on a charging station forproviding electrical power to one or more components in the baby bottle1500 (e.g., to the one or more energy storage devices 1580 to chargethem, to the heating or cooling element 1560, etc.).

The heating or cooling system 1555 can be housed in a chamber or cavity1550 in the body 1510 of the baby bottle 1500, where in one embodimentat least a portion of the heating or cooling system 1555 (e.g., the oneor more electrical energy storage devices 1580, such as batteries) canbe accessed via a removable bottom portion 1540 (or base) that canremovably couple to a bottom of the baby bottle 1500. The bottom portion1540 can couple to the body 1510 of the baby bottle 1500 so as tosubstantially seal the bottom of the baby bottle 1500 in a water tightmanner, as discussed above. In another embodiment, the bottom portion ofthe baby bottle 1500 can be excluded or it can be sealed to the body1510 of the baby bottle 1500 so that the electronics, power storagedevices 1580 or heating or cooling system 1555 are sealed within thebody 1510 and not accessible.

FIG. 32A shows another embodiment of a baby bottle 1500′, which issimilar to the baby bottle 1500, except as described below. The babybottle 1500′ can have a liquid holding chamber 1518′ defined at least inpart by a circumferential wall 1519. The baby bottle 1500′ can have oneor more heating or cooling elements 1560′ (e.g., one or morethermoelectric elements) in thermal communication with the wall 1519 atleast along a portion of the length of the wall 1519. The one or moreheating or cooling elements 1560′ can be operated based at least in parton sensed liquid level, as discussed herein. In another embodiment, onlyone heating or cooling element can be used along a sidewall of the babybottle and can be used to induce circulation of the liquid, as describedin other embodiments above. In another embodiment, one or more heatingor cooling elements can be thermally attached to a thermally conductivewall or walls of the liquid holding chamber similar to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 34I, advantageously inducing a circulation of theliquid within the liquid holding chamber. The baby bottle 1500′ can haveone or more power storage devices 1580, as described above, that canprovide power to the one or more heating or cooling elements 1560′.Though not shown, the baby bottle 1500′ can also have an electronicmodule, which can include a wireless power receiver, control circuitryand/or a charging circuit.

In one embodiment, the baby bottle 1500, 1500′ can have a heating orcooling system 1555 and can be operated (e.g., by an electronic moduleonce the system is actuated by the user) to heat the milk inside thebaby bottle 1500 to a lukewarm temperature (e.g., 97 deg. F to 100 deg.F). In one embodiment, the baby bottle 1500, 1500′ filled with milk orformula can be stored in a separate cooler (e.g., travel cooler,refrigerator) by the user to keep the milk or formula cold.

Once ready for use, the user can turn on the heating system (e.g.,manually via an actuation button, wirelessly via their mobile phone ortablet) and the one or more heating or cooling elements 1560, 1560′ ofthe heating or cooling system 1555 can be activated to heat the liquid(e.g., milk, formula) inside the baby bottle 1500, 1500′. The electronicmodule 1590 can control the heating process (e.g., based on sensedtemperature information of the liquid in the baby bottle) to control theamount of heat, and/or the rate of heat, delivered by the one or moreheating or cooling elements 1560, 1560′ to achieve the desiredtemperature or temperature range (e.g., lukewarm temperature). Inanother embodiment, the cooler (e.g., travel cooler) can be excluded.The heating or cooling system 1555 can be activated to operate incooling mode to keep the liquid (e.g., milk, formula) in the baby bottle1500, 1500′ cool (e.g., at a temperature of between about 35 deg. F andabout 45 deg. F). Once ready for use, the user can actuate the heatingor cooling system 1555 (e.g., manually by pushing a button, wirelesslyvia a mobile phone or tablet, or by removing the baby bottle from itscharging base, etc.) to operate in heating mode so that the one or moreheating or cooling elements 1560, 1560′ are activated to heat the liquid(e.g., milk, formula) inside the baby bottle 1500, 1500′. Again, theelectronic module 1590 or control circuitry can control the heatingprocess (e.g., based on sensed temperature information of the liquid inthe baby bottle) to control the amount of heat, and/or the rate of heat,delivered by the one or more heating or cooling elements 1560, 1560′ toachieve the desired temperature or temperature range (e.g., lukewarmtemperature). Though the features disclosed above may be described inconnection with a liquid container or baby bottle 1500, one of skill inthe art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,900, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400 or travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, beer mug 1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and thescope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware. Additionally, one ofskill in the art will recognize that the liquid container 1500 or babybottle can incorporate any of the features or components disclosed inthis application (e.g., the features or components disclosed inembodiments above in connection with a plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1100, 1300, 1400, or mug 400 or travel mug 600, 600′, 600″)

Travel Mug

In another embodiment, a travel mug, such as the travel mug 600, 600′,600″, cup, mug, water bottle or liquid container can only have one ormore temperature sensors (such as the sensor 820A-820D, 920) for sensingthe temperature of the liquid in the travel mug, mug, cup, water bottleor liquid container (e.g., sensing the temperature at the bottom or on aside surface of the inner chamber of the travel mug, mug, cup, liquidcontainer). In this embodiment, the one or more temperature sensors cancommunicate the sensed temperature information to a visual indicator(e.g., digital display, one or more lights, such as LED lights, glowingicon, including the indicator types disclosed above) on a surface of thetravel mug, mug, cup, liquid container viewable by the user tocommunicate the temperature information to the user. In this embodiment,the travel mug, mug, cup, water bottle or liquid container can excludethe heating or cooling system and can only have the one or moretemperature sensors and one or more visual indicators.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection witha travel mug, mug, cup, water bottle or liquid container (such as themug 400, and travel mug 600), one of skill in the art will recognizethat this embodiment can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/orliquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100,1300, 1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, beer mug 1600, baby bottle1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Cooling Mechanism

In another embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle orliquid container can have one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,heater coil), as discussed in one or more embodiments above, and canhave a heat sink 2500 (see FIG. 45) operably thermally coupleable to aside wall SW of the liquid receiving portion to thereby transfer heatfrom the liquid in the liquid receiving portion to the heat sink 2500.In one embodiment, a portion of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottleor liquid container that is the heat sink or includes the heat sink 2500can be moved (e.g., rotated, slid, etc.) into thermal contact with aheat port 2510 (e.g., metal slab, aluminum slab) operably connected toat least a portion of the side wall SW of the liquid receiving portionso that heat from the liquid in the liquid receiving portion istransferred to the heat sink 2500 via the heat port 2510. Said heat isdissipated from the heat sink 2500 (e.g., via radiation, convection).When the heat sink 2500 is moved out of thermal contact with the heatport 2510 (e.g., by rotating or sliding the heat sink portion 2500relative to the heat port 2510), heat transfer from the liquid in theliquid receiving portion to the heat sink 2500 is inhibited (e.g.,prevented). In another embodiment, the heating or cooling element can beexcluded from the assembly. In one embodiment, the heat sink portion2500 can be moved (e.g., rotated, slid) into and out of contact with theheat port 2510 manually by the user. In another embodiment, the heatsink portion 2500 can be moved into and out of thermal contact with theheat port 2510 via an electric motor (e.g., servo motor, linearactuator) or an electromagnet assembly. In one embodiment, the motor orelectromagnet is operated via a controller (e.g., electronic module,such as electronic module EM). In another embodiment, the motor can beoperated by the user (e.g., via an actuation button actuated by the userto operate the motor). In one embodiment, the heat sink 2500 can bemechanical and include one or more fins 2502 for dissipating heat. Inanother embodiment, the heat sink 2500 can include a chamber filled withmineral oil, where heat is transferred to the mineral oil when the heatsink 2500 is moved so that the heat port 2510 is in contact with atleast a portion of the chamber. In one embodiment, the heat sink 2500need not be a traditional heat sink with cooling fins 2502, but can be aportion of the outer body of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottleor liquid container, or a flat or curved surface or any other heatdissipating member (e.g. aluminum, copper, thermal plastic, etc.).

In another embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle orliquid container can have one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,heater coil), as discussed in one or more embodiments above, and canhave a lid (e.g. removable lid) 2520 that can be moved (e.g., rotated,slid, etc.) to uncover one or more openings 2530 so that heat from theliquid in the liquid receiving portion is vented through said one ormore openings 2530, thereby cooling the liquid volume (see FIG. 46).Said heat is dissipated from the liquid via convection heat transfer.When the lid 2520 is moved (e.g., rotated, slid, etc.) to cover or closesaid one or more openings 2530, dissipation of heat from the liquid inthe liquid receiving portion through said openings 2530 is inhibited(e.g., prevented).

In one embodiment, the lid 2520 can be moved (e.g., rotated, slid, etc.)manually by the user to allow and disallow said heat dissipation. Inanother embodiment, the lid 2520 can be moved (e.g., rotated, slide,etc.) to allow and disallow said heat dissipation via an electric motor(e.g., servo motor, linear actuator) or an electromagnet. In oneembodiment, the motor or electromagnet is operated via a controller(e.g., electronic module, such as electronic module EM). In anotherembodiment, the motor or electromagnet can be operated by the user(e.g., via an actuation button actuated by the user to operate themotor).

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection witha travel mug, mug, cup, water bottle or liquid container (such as themug 400, and travel mug 600), one of skill in the art will recognizethat this embodiment can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/orliquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100,1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. andthe scope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover suchliquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Molecular Sensor

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer can include one or more molecular sensors to analyze thechemical makeup of the liquid therein (e.g., coffee, tea). Said one ormore molecular sensors can communicate the sensed information to thecontroller (e.g., electronic module EM) and/or can communicate thesensed information to a visual display of the cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe,water bottle or liquid container. The molecular sensor can communicateinformation about the make-up of the contents in the receiving portion(e.g., nutritional facts, caffeine content, calories, etc.), or can tellthe user when a tea bag is done being steeped, or can tell the user thecaffeine content or sugar content or calories of a beverage. Thecontroller (e.g., electronic module EM) can have a memory module (e.g.,non-volatile memory) that collects the sensed information and cancommunicate such information to the user (e.g., in desired intervals,such as every week, every month), such as, for example, how muchcaffeine the user has consumed (e.g., in a week, in a month, etc.).

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection witha travel mug, mug, cup, water bottle or liquid container (such as themug 400, and travel mug 600), one of skill in the art will recognizethat this embodiment can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/orliquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100,1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. forsensing the chemical makeup of food placed thereon and communicating thesensed information with a controller (e.g., electronic module EM) and/orvisual display, and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

Lid Mechanism

As discussed above, in one embodiment, the travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, water bottle or liquid container can have a lid (e.g.removable lid) 2600 (see FIG. 47). In one embodiment, the lid 2600 canhave a cover that covers the drinking spout and the cover can openbetween a closed position (covering the drinking spout) and an openposition (exposing the drinking spout). The lid 2600 can have a magneticcoupling mechanism 2610 for releasing the cover from the closedposition. In one embodiment, the magnetic coupling mechanism 2610 can bemanually actuated by the user (e.g., by pushing a button 2620) torelease the cover from the closed position by moving (e.g. sliding,rotating, twisting) a magnet 2612 relative to a magnet 2614 in the coverto reverse the polarity of the magnets 2612, 2614 from an attractiveforce to a repelling force. In one embodiment, the cover is springloaded and can move from a closed position to an open position via thespring force. In this embodiment, when the magnetic coupling isdeactivated by the user, the cover will automatically move from a closedposition to an open position. In another embodiment this can bereversed, so that the spring force activates the cover from an openposition to a closed position. In this embodiment, when the magneticcoupling is deactivated by the user, the cover will automatically close.In other embodiments, the cover can slide open or hinge open or twistopen or rotate open, and the cover can have a spring force causing thecover to move from a closed position to an open position. In thisembodiment, two or more magnets 2612, 2614 can be used to secure thecover in the closed position (e.g., one or more magnets are located inthe cover and one or more magnets are located in the lid or in the bodyof the travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, water bottle or liquidcontainer). In this embodiment, one of the one or more magnets can bemoved from a first position to a second position, decoupling the one ormore magnets in the cover from the one or more magnets in the lid or thebody. The movement of the one or more magnets from a first position to asecond position can be accomplished using a user-actuated button 2620,which can be on the cover or on the lid or on the body or can beactuated using a motor or an electromagnet. In the above embodiments,the “body” can refer to the body of the travel mug, water bottle orliquid container or can refer to the body of a removable cap orremovable lid of the travel mug, water bottle or liquid container. Allof the embodiments described in the above paragraph require at least oneor more magnets within the cover and one or more magnets within the lidor the body. Alternatively, the magnetic coupling can be achieved usinga magnet in one portion of the assembly and a magnetically attractivemetal in another portion of the assembly. Magnets attract to ferrousmetals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, certain steels and other alloys. Inone embodiment, one or more magnetics can be in the cover and one ormore pieces of magnetically attractive material (e.g. iron, nickel,cobalt, certain steels and other alloys) can be in the lid or the body.In another embodiment, this can be reversed and the one or more magnetscan be in the lid or the body and one or more pieces of magneticallyattractive material (e.g. iron, nickel, cobalt, certain steels and otheralloys) can be in the cover.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection witha travel mug, water bottle or liquid container (such as the travel mug600), one of skill in the art will recognize that this embodiment canalso apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware(e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup, baby bottle and/or liquidcontainer), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300,1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc., and thescope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Kinetic Electricity Generator

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer can have one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g., heatercoil), one or more power storage elements (e.g., batteries) that providepower to the one or more heating or cooling elements, as discussed inone or more embodiments above, and can have a kinetic electricitygenerator 2700 for charging the one or more power storage elementsduring use of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer. In one embodiment, the kinetic electricity generator 2700 canbe housed in or on the body of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottleor liquid container. As the user moves the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, waterbottle or liquid container (e.g., tilting it to consume a beverage,vibrations transferred from the user to the container while carryingit), the kinetic electricity generator 2700 generates electricity anddirects the electricity to the one or more power storage elements tocharge them.

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer can exclude a heating or cooling system and can have one ormore liquid quality sensors, one or more power storage elements, avisual display (e.g. display screen, indicator lights, glowing icons,etc.) and can have a kinetic electricity generator 2700 for charging theone or more power storage elements during use of the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, carafe, water bottle or liquid container. The energy from the oneor more power storage elements PS can be used to power the liquidquality sensor system. In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe,water bottle or liquid container can exclude a heating or cooling systemand can have one or more liquid quality sensors, a visual display (e.g.display screen, indicator lights, glowing icons, etc.) and can have akinetic electricity generator for powering the liquid quality sensingcircuit of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle or liquidcontainer. In one embodiment, the kinetic electricity generator can behoused in or on the body of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottleor liquid container. As the user moves the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, waterbottle or liquid container (e.g., tilting it to consume a beverage,vibrations transferred from the user to the container while carryingit), the kinetic electricity generator generates electricity and directsthe electricity to the one or more power storage elements to chargethem. In one embodiment, the kinetic electricity generator can be apiezoelectric generator and can be activated by vibrations or movementsor a user-actuated push button or lever, etc. In another embodiment thekinetic electricity generator can be an electromagnetic inductiongenerator. In one embodiment the kinetic electricity generator cangenerate electricity via vibrations and movement of the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, carafe, water bottle or liquid container (e.g. vibrations causedfrom transporting the mug in a backpack or in a car (road vibrations),etc.).

As shown in FIG. 48, in one embodiment the kinetic electricity generatorcan include a magnet 2710 that travels relative to a coiled wire 2720(e.g., the magnet travels within a space defined by the coiled wire2720). As the user moves (e.g., tilts) the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, waterbottle or liquid container it generates electricity via electromagneticinduction. In one embodiment, the magnet 2710 moves relative to thecoiled wire 2720. In another embodiment, the coiled wire 2720 movesrelative to the magnet 2710.

In another embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, carafe, water bottle orliquid container (e.g., water bottle, baby bottle) can have one or moresolar cells on at least a portion of its body to collect solar energythat can be used to supply power to the different components of thedevice.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection witha travel mug, mug, cup, water bottle or liquid container (such as themug 400, and travel mug 600), one of skill in the art will recognizethat this embodiment can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/orliquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100,1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. andthe scope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover suchliquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Liquid Container Insert

In one embodiment, the travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, mug,water bottle or liquid container can include a removable insert forholding the liquid within the body of the travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, mug, water bottle or liquid container. In one embodiment,the insert 2800 can be disposable, as shown in FIG. 49A. In oneembodiment, the insert 2800 can be made of paper or plastic (e.g.,recyclable plastic). In another embodiment, the insert 2810 can benon-disposable (e.g., made of hard plastic or metal), as shown in FIG.49B, and can be removably inserted into the receiving portion of thetravel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, mug, water bottle or liquidcontainer to hold the liquid. In this manner, following use of thetravel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, mug, water bottle or liquidcontainer, the user can remove the insert 2810 and wash only the insert2810, without having to also wash the travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, mug, water bottle or liquid container. Preferably, the insert 2810can be made of a material that allows heat transfer therethrough,thereby allowing heat transfer to or from the one or more heating orcooling elements of the travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, mug,water bottle or liquid container to or from the liquid held in theinsert. The insert 2810, once placed in the receiving portion of thetravel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, mug, water bottle or liquidcontainer can make a thermal connection with an inner surface of thebody. In one embodiment, the insert 2810 can have a size and shapegenerally corresponding to the size and shape of the receiving portionof the travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, mug, water bottle orliquid container. In the embodiments described above, the travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, mug, water bottle or liquid container canhave a sensor (e.g. magnetic coupling sensor, proximity sensor,ultrasound sensor, etc.) an can detect if the disposable ornon-disposable insert has been inserted or is missing. In thisembodiment certain features of the travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, mug, water bottle or liquid container can be disabled or the powercan be automatically shut off when the insert is not detected. Inanother embodiment, certain features can be enabled or the power can beturned on when the insert is detected.

Method of Remote Control Operation

FIG. 33 shows one embodiment of a method 1900 of operating the one ormore plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600,cups, and liquid containers. In the illustrated embodiment, a remotecontrol or mobile electronic device can be paired 1910 with one or moreplates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600,cups, and liquid containers. The remote control or mobile electronicdevice can then receive one or more instructions from a user 1920regarding the operation of the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, and liquid containers.The remote control or mobile electronic device can then transmit 1930said one or more instructions to the paired one or more plates 100,1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, and liquidcontainers. The one or more instructions can then be performed 1940 bythe one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, and liquid containers. Additionally, the remotecontrol or mobile electronic device can receive 1950 information fromthe one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, and liquid containers (e.g., sensed foodtemperature, battery charge or level, current temperature setting,etc.). Optionally, an application can be loaded 1960 onto the remotecontrol or mobile electronic device to allow the remote control ormobile electronic device to interface with the one or more plates 100,1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, and liquidcontainers.

FIG. 44 shows a block diagram of a communication system for the devicesdescribed herein (e.g., the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, servingdishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700, 2100, 2200, 2400, cups, liquidcontainers such as beer mugs 1600 and baby bottles 1500, bread basket2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, theelectronic module EM (such as the electronic module disclosed herein forthe plates, cups, mugs, travel mugs, liquid containers, beer mugs, babybottles, bread basket, tortilla warmer, etc.) can receive sensedinformation from one or more sensors S1-Sn (e.g., liquid level sensors,liquid volume sensors, temperature sensors, battery charge sensors,drink quality sensors, tilt sensors or gyroscopes). The electronicmodule EM can also receive information from and transmit information(e.g., instructions) to one or more heating or cooling elements HC(e.g., to operate each of the heating or cooling elements in a heatingmode, in a cooling mode, turn off, turn on, vary power output of, etc.)and optionally to one or more power storage devices PS (e.g., batteries,such as to charge the batteries or manage the power provided by thebatteries to the one or more heating or cooling elements). Theelectronic module EM can also communicate with a wireless powertransmitter WPT (e.g., an inductive power transmitter). The electronicmodule EM can also communicate with (e.g., transmit information to andreceive information, such as user instructions from, a user interfaceUI1 on the unit (e.g., on the body of the plates, cups, mugs, travelmugs, liquid containers, beer mugs, baby bottles, bread basket, tortillawarmer, etc.). The electronic module EM can also communicate with anelectronic device ED (e.g., a mobile electronic device such as a mobilephone, PDA, tablet computer, laptop computer, electronic watch; or adesktop computer) via the cloud CL or via a wireless communicationsystem such as Bluetooth BT. The electronic device ED can have a userinterface UI2, that can display information associated with theoperation of the actively heated/cooled drinkware, dishware, serverware,etc. (as disclosed herein), and that can receive information (e.g.,instructions) from a user and communicate said information to theactively heated/cooled drinkware, dishware, serverware, etc. (asdisclosed herein).

Drinkware Container

The various embodiments described below refer to a drinkware container.One of skill in the art will understand that the terms “drinkwarecontainer” broadly refer to any portable handheld container that canhold a liquid for consumption, and includes containers such as cups,mugs, travel mugs, beer mugs, baby bottles, carafes and other handheldportable liquid containers.

FIG. 50 shows a lengthwise cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container 5000 (hereinafter “container 5000”). As only across-section is shown, the other half of the drinkware container 5000is excluded in FIG. 50 to illustrate the various components of thecontainer 5000. One of skill in the art will understand that theexcluded portion of the drinkware container 5000 in FIG. 50 is a mirrorimage of the portion of the drinkware container 5000 that is shown inFIG. 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the container 5000 is shown as atravel mug. However, as discussed above, the drinkware container 5000can be other types of containers, such as a cup, mug, beer mug, babybottle, carafe or other handheld portable liquid containers.

The container 5000 has an inner sidewall 5010 (e.g., a circumferentialor cylindrical inner sidewall) and inner bottom wall 5012, whichtogether define a chamber 5015 that receives and holds a liquid therein.The container 5000 also has a second sidewall 5020 (e.g., acircumferential or cylindrical inner sidewall) that is spaced apart fromthe inner sidewall 5010 so as to define a chamber (e.g., an annularchamber) 5024 between the inner wall 5010 and the second wall 5020.Optionally, the inner sidewall 5010 can be made of metal (e.g.,stainless steel). However, in other embodiments, the inner sidewall 5010can be made of other suitable materials. Optionally, the second sidewall5020 can be made of the same material as the inner sidewall 5010 (e.g.,both the inner sidewall 5010 and the second sidewall 5020 can be made ofmetal, such as stainless steel). In another embodiment, the secondsidewall 5020 can be made of a different material than the innersidewall 5010; for example, the inner sidewall 5010 can be made ofmetal, such as stainless steel, and the second sidewall 5020 can be madeof a plastic material that insulates the outer portion of the container5000 from the inner sidewall 5010 and the liquid contents of the chamber5015. Optionally, the inner sidewall 5010 and the second sidewall 5020are part of a single piece (e.g., monolithic piece), so that the innerand second sidewall 5010, 5020 are fixed (e.g., not removable) relativeto each other.

The chamber 5024 can be filled with a phase change material (PCM) 5025.The PCM 5025 can be a solid-solid phase change material, or asolid-liquid phase change material. The PCM 5025 can be a wax (e.g.,Paraffin wax). However, other suitable phase change materials (e.g., ametal) can be used.

The PCM 5025 can be selected to have a predetermined transition (e.g.,melting) temperature that generally corresponds to a suitable drinkingtemperature for a heated liquid. In some embodiments, the predeterminedtransition temperature can optionally be between 135 degrees F. and 145degrees F., such as optionally be 140 degrees F. In one embodiment, whenthe liquid (e.g., hot coffee, hot tea, soup) poured into the chamber5015 of the container 5000 has a temperature above the predeterminedtransition temperature, the PCM 5025 can absorb heat from the liquid tocause the PCM 5025 to transition, for example, from a solid to a liquid,thereby decreasing the temperature of the liquid toward the saidpredetermined temperature. As the temperature of the liquid drops (e.g.,via conduction of heat from the liquid through the inner sidewall 5010to the PCM 5025), the operation of the container 5000 approaches asteady state of operation where the temperature of the liquid approachesthe predetermined transition temperature, where it can remain for anextended period of time (e.g., for at least 1 hour, for at least 2hours, for at least 3 hours, etc.).

The container 5000 can have an outer sidewall 5030 (e.g., acircumferential or cylindrical inner sidewall) that extends from a rim5031 of the container 5000 to an outer bottom wall 5032. The rim 5031can optionally partially define a drinking lip 5031 a of the container5000, e.g., along with an opening Lo in a lid L that can removably coverthe proximal end of the container 5000. Optionally, the outer sidewall5030 and outer bottom wall 5032 can be a single piece (e.g., monolithicwith no seams). However, in other embodiments, at least a portion of theouter sidewall 5030 can be separate from the bottom wall 5032, asdiscussed further below. The outer sidewall 5030 can be disposedradially outward from the second sidewall 5020. Optionally, the outersidewall 5030 can be radially spaced apart from the second sidewall 5020to define a chamber 5034 (e.g., an annular chamber) therebetween. In oneembodiment, the chamber 5034 can provide an air gap between the secondsidewall 5020 and outer sidewall 5030, where said air gap can insulatethe outer sidewall 5030 from the second sidewall 5020 and the innersidewall 5010. In other embodiments, the chamber 5034 can be filled withan insulative material (e.g., foam). In still another embodiment, thechamber 5034 can optionally be under vacuum. However, in otherembodiments, the outer sidewall 5030 can be adjacent the second sidewall5020 so that there is no gap therebetween. Optionally, the outersidewall 5030 can be made of an insulative material (e.g., foam,plastic).

With continued reference to FIG. 50, the container 5000 can optionallyhave one or more heating elements 5040 disposed about (e.g.,circumferentially about) at least a portion of the inner wall 5010 sothat it is in direct thermal communication with liquid in the chamber5015. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more heating elements5040 are disposed about at least a portion of the inner wall 5010 at alocation below the chamber 5024. The one or more heating elements 5040are optionally one or more resistive heaters. In one embodiment, the oneor more heating elements 5040 can optionally be defined by a tracepattern screen printed onto the surface of the inner wall 5010. Aconnecting lead line (not shown) can electrically connect the one ormore heating elements 5040 to one or more power storage elements 5060disposed in a bottom chamber 5050 and/or control circuitry 5080 disposedin the bottom chamber 5050. For example, in one embodiment such a leadline can extend from the one or more heating elements 5040 downwardalong the inner bottom wall 5012 to the one or more power storageelements 5060 and/or control circuitry 5080. In one embodiment, the oneor more heating elements 5040 can optionally be a thermoelectricelement. Though the discussion in this paragraph refers to one or moreheating elements 5040, one of skill in the art will recognize that thiscan also apply to one or more cooling elements or one or more heatingand cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric elements), and that thisdisclosure is meant to apply to all these options for the container5000.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer sidewall 5030 and outer bottomwall 5032 are optionally a single piece (e.g. monolithic with no seams),such that the one or more power storage elements 5060 (e.g., batteries,capacitors) and control circuitry 5080 are permanently housed in thechamber 5050. In another embodiment, the outer bottom wall 5032 isremovable relative to the outer sidewall 5030 to allow access to thechamber 5050 (e.g., to replace the power storage elements 5060, performmaintenance on the electronics, etc.). In another embodiment, at least aportion of the outer sidewall 5030 can be separate from the outer bottomwall 5032 (and/or at least another portion of the outer sidewall 5030)so that the one or more power storage elements 5060 and controlcircuitry 5080 are housed in a module that can be removably coupled tothe rest of the container 5000. For example, said module can be coupledto a bottom plate 5036 via a threaded connection, key-slot connection,magnetic connection, or other suitable connection. In such anembodiment, the lead line from the heating element 5040 can terminate atthe bottom plate 5036 and establishes an electrical connection with aseparate lead line in said module when the module is coupled to thecontainer 5000. In still another embodiment, the outer bottom wall 5032can be removably attached to the container 5000 and can be removed toaccess the control circuitry 5080 and/or one or more power storageelements 5060 for maintenance, testing and/or replacement. In someembodiments, the bottom wall 5032 can have one or more electricalcontacts on an outer surface thereof that contacts a correspondingelectrical contact on a charging base (See e.g., charging base 7400 inFIG. 73, described below), through which the one or more power storageelements 5060 can be charged when the container 5000 is disposed on thecharging base. Said one or more electrical contacts on the bottom wall5032 can be circular (similar to the electrical contact 7398 a shown inFIG. 77a and discussed further below).

The control circuitry 5080 can optionally control the charging of theone or more power storage elements (e.g., the control circuitry 5080 caninclude a charging circuit) can control delivery of power to the heatingelement 5040. In one embodiment, the control circuitry 5080 can controldelivery of power to the heating element 5040 to maintain the liquid inthe chamber 5015 at the predetermined temperature. In anotherembodiment, the control circuitry 5080 can control delivery of power tothe heating element 5040 to input heat to the liquid to increase thetemperature of the liquid to a user selected temperature. Said userselected temperature can optionally be provided via a user interface onthe body of the container 5000. In another embodiment, the user selectedtemperature can be provided wirelessly to the control circuitry (whichcan have a receiver) from a portable electronic device (e.g., smartphone or tablet computer), e.g., so that there are no buttons or othercontrols on the container 5000 that the user manually actuates. In stillanother embodiment, the temperature can be preselected or preset (e.g.,during manufacture). Optionally, the control circuitry 5080 can controldelivery of power to the heating element 5040 based at least in part oninformation from one or more sensors that sense a parameter of qualityof the liquid (e.g., temperature, liquid volume or level, acidity, pH)where said one or more sensors can be on a surface of one or both of theinner sidewall 5010 and inner bottom wall 5012. Said sensors can be anyof the sensors disclosed herein and can communicate with the controlcircuitry 5080 in any manner disclosed herein.

During operation, a user can pour a hot liquid into the chamber 5015. Ifthe temperature of the liquid is above the transition temperature of thePCM 5025, heat can be transferred from the liquid to the PCM 5025 todrop the temperature of the liquid in the chamber 5015 until anequilibrium is achieved. The control circuitry 5080 can then operate(e.g., based on the information provided by the sensors) to supply powerto the one or more heating elements 5040 to either maintain thetemperature of the liquid in the chamber 5015 relatively steady (orwithin a desired temperature range) for an extended period of time, orto increase the temperature of the liquid in the chamber 5015.

With continued reference to FIG. 50, the outer sidewall 5030 of thecontainer 5000 can include a lower portion 5038 with a smaller diameterthan an upper portion of the outer sidewall 5030 so as to define astepped portion in a lower portion of the container 5000. The container5000 can optionally also include a movable sidewall 5031 disposed aboutthe lower portion 5038. In the illustrated embodiment, the movablesidewall 5031 can rotate relative to the lower portion 5038 (e.g., aboutthe axis of the container 5000), e.g. via a bearing. In one embodiment,the movable sidewall 5031 can have substantially the same diameter asthe outer sidewall 5030 at a location above the lower portion 5038, sothat the movable sidewall 5031 is substantially aligned with the outersidewall 5030 at said location above the lower portion 5038. In oneembodiment, the movable sidewall 5031 can be in operative communicationwith one or more sensors that can sense the rotation of the movablesidewall 5031 with respect to at least a portion of the outer sidewall5030 (e.g., with respect to at least a portion of the lower portion5038). In one embodiment, at least one of said one or more sensors canbe an optical sensor. In another embodiment, at least one of said one ormore sensors can be a Hall effect sensor. However, other suitablesensors for sensing the movement of the movable sidewall 5031 can beused (e.g., capacitance sensor).

Said one or more sensors can communicate the sensed rotation of themovable sidewall 5031 to the control circuitry 5080, which can controlthe operation of the one or more heating elements 5040 based at least inpart on said sensed rotation. In one embodiment, the control circuitry5080 can, via an algorithm stored in a memory of the control circuitry5080, associate an incremental rotation of the movable sidewall 5031with an incremental change in a user selected temperature (as discussedabove), and can operate the one or more heating elements 5040 so thatthe liquid in the chamber 5015 approaches said user selectedtemperature. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the movable sidewall 5031can be used to change a temperature set point for the container 5000 towhich the liquid in the chamber 5015 is to be heated.

With continued reference to FIG. 50, in one embodiment the container5000 can optionally have one or more capacitance touch sensors (notshown) on the outer sidewall 5030, which the user can actuate to controlthe operation of the container 5000. Said capacitance touch sensors canbe similar to the soft touch sensors discussed above. The capacitancetouch sensors can communicate with the control circuitry 5080 (e.g., viaa lead line that extends between the one or more sensors and the controlcircuitry 5080). For example, the user can touch the capacitance touchsensor to unlock or wake up the control circuitry 5080, allowing anadjustment in the user selected temperature (as discussed above) byrotating the movable sidewall 5031. After a period of time (which can bea set period of time saved in a memory of the control circuitry 5080),the control circuitry 5080 can lock out the control of the container5000 such that further rotation of the movable sidewall 5031 will notadjust the user selected temperature. If the user wishes to again adjustthe user selected temperature, they can again contact the capacitancetouch sensor to again unlock the control of the container 5000, andthereby adjust the user selected temperature via the rotation of themovable sidewall 5031.

In one embodiment, the one or more capacitance touch sensors can be usedto turn one and off the electronics of the container 5000. For example,in embodiments where there is only one capacitance touch sensor, theuser can press the sensor for an X amount of time (e.g., 2 seconds, 3seconds, 5 seconds) to turn the electronics (e.g., control circuitry5080) on if it was previously off, or to turn the electronics off ifthey were previously on.

In one embodiment, the container 5000 can optionally include a visualindication screen (similar to visual indication screen 7395 in FIG. 75,described below) on the outer sidewall 5030, which can communicate withthe control circuitry 5080 and can display information associated withthe operation of the container 5000. For example, the visual indicationscreen can indicate when the control circuitry is in operation (e.g.,“ON”). In another example, the visual indication screen can indicate theuser selected temperature, e.g., as the user rotates the movablesidewall 5031 to adjust the user selected temperature, as discussedabove. In still another embodiment, the visual indication screen candisplay information (e.g., the user's name) communicated to the controlcircuitry 5080 from a mobile electronic device (e.g., via Bluetooth orother wireless communication method) of via the internet from a remotecomputer, or display other operational information (e.g., liquid levelin container 5000, such as “HALF FULL”, “QUARTER FULL”, battery chargelevel or operating time left before battery needs charging).

As shown in FIG. 50A, in one embodiment, the container 5000′ can includeone or more sensors 5016 that can sense information indicative of aliquid level in the chamber 5015. Such sensors can be any of the typesof sensors disclosed herein (e.g., capacitance sensors, ultrasoundsensors, temperature sensors). In one embodiment, the one or moresensors 5016 can be a plurality of sensors 5016 that are in contact withthe inner sidewall 5010 along a length (e.g., the entire length, ¾ ofthe length, etc.) of the inner sidewall 5010 and communicate the sensedtemperature information to the control circuitry 5080 (e.g., via one ormore lead lines between the sensors 5016 and the control circuitry5080). For example, the plurality of sensors 5016 can be mounted to aflex strip attached to (e.g., adhered to, such as with a thermallyconductive adhesive) the inner sidewall 5010. In one embodiment, asshown in FIG. 50A, the plurality of sensors 5016 are on the outersurface of the inner sidewall 5010 so as not to be within the chamber5015. In the illustrated embodiment, the strip of sensors 5016 arepositioned against the outer surface of the inner sidewall 5010 at arecessed location 5017 where the second sidewall 5020 and PCM 5025 arenot present; as shown in FIG. 50A, the second sidewall 5020 contacts theinner sidewall 5010 on either side of said recess 5017 in which thestrip of sensors 5016 is placed. In one embodiment, the plurality ofsensors 5016 can be Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistors.

In one embodiment, the control circuitry 5080 can determine (e.g., basedon one or more algorithms stored in a memory thereof) the liquid levelin the chamber 5015 based at least in part on the sensed information(e.g., sensed temperature or information indicative of temperature)communicated from the plurality of sensors 5016. In one embodiment, thecontrol circuitry 5080 can, based on the information sensed by theplurality of sensors 5016, determine the differential in temperaturebetween any two adjacent sensors. Where such differential exceeds acertain amount (e.g., 5 degrees F., 10 degrees F., 15 degrees F.) and/orindicates a temperature higher than ambient by a certain amount, thecontrol circuitry 5080 can determine that the liquid level in thechamber 5015 is between said two sensors of the plurality of sensors5016 that exhibit this temperature differential, and can indicate thelocation of liquid level (e.g., based on the arrangement of theplurality of sensors 5016 vertically along the inner sidewall 5010),such as by communicating information associated with the determinedliquid level (e.g., to a visual indication screen on the container 5000,to a mobile electronic device associated with the container 5000, etc.).Said information associated with the determined liquid level that iscommunicated to the user can be in the form of a quantitative valueprovided to the user (e.g., level at 6/10, 5/10, 1/10) or qualitativelevel (e.g., “half full”, “quarter full”, etc.). In another embodiment,said information associated with the determined liquid level can becommunicated via a visual graphic to the user (e.g., a chamber shownhalf full, a quarter full, etc.) without any text or numericalindication of the level.

In one embodiment, the plurality of sensors 5016 are not calibrated andthe control circuitry 5080 uses the relative change in sensedtemperature (or relative change in sensed information indicative oftemperature) from the plurality of sensors 5016 to determine the liquidlevel in the chamber 5015. In another embodiment, the plurality ofsensors 5016 can be calibrated when the chamber 5015 has been filledentirely and the temperature of the liquid in the chamber 5015 hasstabilized to increase the accuracy of the sensors 5016. For example,such sensors 5016 with increased accuracy can be used to indicate notonly the liquid level in the chamber 5015, but also the level of anothersubstance (e.g., foam) on top of the liquid in the chamber 5015.

As discussed previously, in one embodiment the sensed liquid level, suchas the level determined based on information from the plurality ofsensors 5016, can be combined with a sensed tilting of the container5000 (e.g., via a gyroscope). Therefore, when the tilt sensors sensesthat the container 5000 has been titled by more than a predeterminedamount from vertical (e.g., more than 25 degrees from vertical, etc.),the control circuitry 5080 can turn off power to the one or more heating(or cooling) elements 5040, and can cease control based on informationprovided from the sensors, until the sensed orientation of the container5000 is less than the predetermined amount (e.g., less than 25 degreesfrom vertical, etc.).

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 5000, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5100-7700),drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300,etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

FIG. 51 shows a lengthwise cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container 5100 (hereinafter “container”). As only across-section is shown, the other half of the drinkware container 5100is excluded in FIG. 51 to illustrate the various components of thecontainer 5100. One of skill in the art will understand that theexcluded portion of the drinkware container 5100 in FIG. 51 is a mirrorimage of the portion of the drinkware container 5100 that is shown inFIG. 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the container 5100 is shown as atravel mug. However, as discussed above, the drinkware container 5100can be other types of containers, such as a cup, mug, beer mug, babybottle, carafe or other handheld portable liquid containers.

The container 5100 has an inner sidewall 5110 (e.g., a circumferentialor cylindrical inner sidewall) and inner bottom wall 5112, whichtogether define a chamber 5115 that receives and holds a liquid therein.The container 5100 also has a second sidewall 5120 (e.g., acircumferential or cylindrical inner sidewall) and second bottom wall5122 that are spaced apart from the inner sidewall 5110 and inner bottomwall 5112, respectively, so as to define a chamber (e.g., an annularchamber) 5124 between the inner walls 5110, 5112 and the second walls5120, 5122. Optionally, the inner sidewall 5110 can be made of metal(e.g., stainless steel). However, in other embodiments, the innersidewall 5110 can be made of other suitable materials. Optionally, thesecond sidewall 5120 can be made of the same material as the innersidewall 5110 (e.g., both the inner sidewall 5110 and the secondsidewall 5120 can be made of metal, such as stainless steel). In anotherembodiment, the second sidewall 5120 can be made of a different materialthan the inner sidewall 5110; for example, the inner sidewall 5110 canbe made of metal, such as stainless steel, and the second sidewall 5120can be made of a plastic material that insulates the outer portion ofthe container 5100 from the inner sidewall 5110 and the liquid contentsof the chamber 5115.

The chamber 5124 can be filled with a phase change material (PCM) 5125.The PCM 5125 can be a solid-solid phase change material, or asolid-liquid phase change material. The PCM 5125 can be a wax (e.g.,Paraffin wax). However, other suitable phase change materials (e.g., ametal) can be used). In the illustrated embodiment the PCM 5125 betweenthe sidewalls 5110, 5120 is the same as the PCM 5125 between the bottomwalls 5112, 5122. However, in other embodiments, the PCM 5125 betweenthe sidewalls 5110, 5120 can be different than the PCM 5125 between thebottom walls 5112, 5122.

The PCM 5125 can be selected to have a predetermined transition (e.g.,melting) temperature that generally corresponds to a suitable drinkingtemperature for a heated liquid. In some embodiments, the predeterminedtransition temperature can optionally be between 135 degrees F. and 145degrees F., such as optionally be 140 degrees F. In one embodiment, whenthe liquid (e.g., hot coffee, hot tea, soup) poured into the chamber5115 of the container 5100 has a temperature above the predeterminedtransition temperature, the PCM 5125 can absorb heat from the liquid tocause the PCM 5125 to transition, for example, from a solid to a liquid,thereby decreasing the temperature of the liquid toward the saidpredetermined temperature. As the temperature of the liquid drops (e.g.,via conduction of heat from the liquid through the inner sidewall 5110to the PCM 5125), the operation of the container 5100 approaches asteady state of operation where the temperature of the liquid approachesthe predetermined transition temperature, where it can remain for anextended period of time (e.g., for at least 1 hour, for at least 2hours, for at least 3 hours, etc.).

The container 5100 can have an outer sidewall 5130 (e.g., acircumferential or cylindrical inner sidewall) that extends from a rim5131 of the container 5130 to an outer bottom wall 5132. The rim 5131can optionally define a drinking lip of the container 5100. Optionally,the outer sidewall 5130 and outer bottom wall 5132 can be a single piece(e.g., monolithic with no seams). However, in other embodiments, atleast a portion of the outer sidewall 5130 can be separate from thebottom wall 5132, as discussed further below. The outer sidewall 5130can be disposed radially outward from the second sidewall 5120.Optionally, the outer sidewall 5130 can be radially spaced apart fromthe second sidewall 5120 to define a chamber 5134 (e.g., an annularchamber) therebetween. In one embodiment, the chamber 5134 can providean air gap between the second sidewall 5120 and outer sidewall 5130,where said air gap can insulate the outer sidewall 5130 from the secondsidewall 5120 and the inner sidewall 5110. However, in otherembodiments, the outer sidewall 5130 can be adjacent the second sidewall5120 so that there is no gap therebetween. Optionally, the outersidewall 5130 can be made of an insulative material (e.g., foam,plastic).

With continued reference to FIG. 51, the container 5100 can have aheating element 5140 disposed above (e.g., on) the inner bottom wall5112 and covers at least a portion of the inner bottom wall 5112 so thatit is in direct thermal communication with liquid in the chamber 5115.In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 5140 coverssubstantially the entire bottom inner wall 5112. The heating element5140 is optionally a resistive heater. In one embodiment, the heatingelement 5140 can be defined by a trace pattern screen printed onto thesurface of the inner bottom wall 5112. A connecting lead line (notshown) can electrically connects the heating element 5140 to one or morepower storage elements 5160 disposed in a first bottom chamber 5150and/or control circuitry 5180 disposed in a second bottom chamber 5170.For example, in one embodiment such a lead line can extend from theheating element 5140 upward along the inner sidewall 5110, downwardalong the second sidewall 5120 and then optionally cross through adividing wall 5136 that separates the one or more power storage elements5160 from the second bottom wall 5122. The lead line can optionallyextend through a second dividing wall 5138 that separates the one ormore power storage elements 5160 from the control circuitry 5180. Inanother embodiment, said lead line can extend from the heating element5140, through a conduit (not shown) between the inner bottom wall 5112and second bottom wall 5122, and optionally pass through the bottom wall5136 and/or second bottom wall 5138 to electrically connect the heatingelement with the one or more power storage elements and/or controlcircuitry 5180. Though the discussion in this paragraph refers to one ormore heating elements 5140, one of skill in the art will recognize thatthis can also apply to one or more cooling elements or one or moreheating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric elements), and thatthis disclosure is meant to apply to all these options for the container5100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer sidewall 5130 and outer bottomwall 5132 are optionally a single piece (e.g. monolithic with no seams),such that the one or more power storage elements 5160 (e.g., batteries,capacitors) and control circuitry 5180 are permanently housed in thechambers 5150, 5170. In another embodiment, at least a portion of theouter sidewall 5130 can be separate from the outer bottom wall 5132(and/or at least another portion of the outer sidewall 5130) so that theone or more power storage elements 5160 and control circuitry 5180 arehoused in a module that can be removably coupled to the rest of thecontainer 5100. For example, said module can be coupled to the bottomplate 5136 via a threaded connection, key-slot connection, or othersuitable connection. In such an embodiment, the lead line from theheating element 5140 can terminate at the bottom plate 5136 andestablishes an electrical connection with a separate lead line in saidmodule when the module is coupled to the container 5100. In stillanother embodiment, the outer bottom wall 5132 can be removably attachedto the container 5100 and can be removed to access the control circuitry5180 and/or one or more power storage elements 5160 for maintenance,testing and/or replacement.

The control circuitry 5180 can control the charging of the one or morepower storage elements (e.g., the control circuitry 5180 can include acharging circuit) can control delivery of power to the heating element5140. In one embodiment, the control circuitry 5180 can control deliveryof power to the heating element 5140 to maintain the liquid in thechamber 5115 at the predetermined temperature. In another embodiment,the control circuitry 5180 can control delivery of power to the heatingelement 5140 to input heat to the liquid to increase the temperature ofthe liquid to a user selected temperature. Said user selectedtemperature can optionally be provided via a user interface on the bodyof the container 5100. In another embodiment, the user selectedtemperature can be provided wirelessly to the control circuitry (whichcan have a receiver) from a portable electronic device (e.g., smartphone or tablet computer). Optionally, the control circuitry 5180 cancontrol delivery of power to the heating element 5140 based at least inpart on information from one or more sensors that sense a parameter ofquality of the liquid (e.g., temperature, volume, acidity, pH) wheresaid one or more sensors can be on a surface of one or both of the innersidewall 5110 and inner bottom wall 5112.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 5100, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000, 5200-7700),drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300,etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

FIG. 52 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of adrinkware container 5200 (hereinafter “container 5200”). The container5200 is similar to the container 5100 shown in FIG. 51, except as notedbelow. Thus, the reference numerals used to designate the variouscomponents of the container 5200 are identical to those used foridentifying the corresponding components of the container 5100 in FIG.51, except that the reference numerals of the container 5200 begin with“52” instead of “51”. Therefore the description for the variouscomponents of the container 5100 shown in FIG. 51 are understood toapply to the corresponding components of the container 5200 in FIG. 52,except as described below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 5200 is excluded in FIG. 52 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 5200. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 5200 inFIG. 52 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 5200that is shown in FIG. 52.

As shown in FIG. 52, the heating element 5240 can be in thermalcommunication with (e.g., in contact with or disposed against) a portionof the inner sidewall 5210 of the container 5200 (e.g., a portion of thecircumference of the inner sidewall 5210, such as one defined by an arclength less than the circumference of the inner sidewall 5210), such asin a side portion of the chamber 5224. Though the illustrated embodimentshows the heating element 5240 axially disposed proximate the innerbottom wall 5212, in other embodiments, the heating element 5240 can bedisposed at other locations along the inner sidewall 5210 (e.g., midwaybetween the inner bottom wall 5212 and the rim 5231, proximate the rim5231, etc.). The PCM 5225 can be disposed in the chamber 5224 above andbelow the heating element 5240. A lead line (not shown) can extend fromthe heating element 5240 (e.g., from a portion of the second sidewall5220 in thermal and/or electrical communication with the heating element5240) to one or both of the one or more power storage elements 5260 andcontrol circuitry 5280, as discussed above in connection with thecontainer 5100 of FIG. 51. The PCM 5225 and heating element 5240 canoperate as discussed above for the PCM 5125 and heating element 5140.Though the discussion in this paragraph refers to one or more heatingelements 5240, one of skill in the art will recognize that this can alsoapply to one or more cooling elements or one or more heating or coolingelements (e.g., thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure ismeant to apply to all these options for the container 5200.

Operation of the heating element 5240 can induce a circulation flow(e.g., a convection current) in the chamber 5215 holding liquid tocreate a convection or “waterfall effect,” where liquid circulatesupward from the heating element 5240 and along a portion of the innersidewall 5210 in thermal communication with the heating element 5240,across to an opposite portion of the sidewall 5210, downward along saidopposite portion of the sidewall 5210 to the inner bottom wall 5212, andacross the inner bottom wall 5212 back to the portion of the innersidewall 5210 in thermal communication with the heating element 5240.Said convection or circulation advantageously results in the liquid inthe bottom portion of the container 5200 and the liquid in the topportion of the container 5200 having substantially the same temperature(e.g., differ in temperature by less than 15 degrees F., differs intemperature by less than 10 degrees F., differ in temperature by lessthan 5 degrees F., differ in temperature by less than 3 degrees F.,differ in temperature by less than 1 deg. F) such that liquid in thecontainer 5200 has a substantially uniform temperature during use of thecontainer 5200.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 5200, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-5100,5300-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 53 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 5300(hereinafter “container 5300”). The container 5300 is similar to thecontainers 5100 and 5200 shown in FIGS. 51-52, except as noted below.Thus, the reference numerals used to designate the various components ofthe container 5300 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 5100 in FIG. 51, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 5300 begin with “53” instead of“51”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 5100 and container 5200 shown in FIGS. 51-52 are understood toapply to the corresponding components of the container 5300 in FIG. 53,except as described below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 5300 is excluded in FIG. 53 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 5300. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 5300 inFIG. 53 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 5300that is shown in FIG. 53.

As shown in FIG. 53, the heating element 5340 extends along the entirecircumference of the inner sidewall 5310 and is in thermal communicationwith a portion of the sidewall 5310. Though the illustrated embodimentshows the heating element 5340 axially optionally disposed proximate theinner bottom wall 5312, in other embodiments, the heating element 5340can be disposed at other locations along the inner sidewall 5310 (e.g.,midway between the inner bottom wall 5312 and the rim 5331, proximatethe rim 5331, etc.). The PCM 5325 can be disposed in a chamber 5324 thatextends above the heating element 5340 (e.g., solely above the heatingelement 5340 so that there is no PCB 5325 disposed below the heatingelement 5340). A lead line (not shown) can extend from the heatingelement 5340 to one or both of the one or more power storage elements5360 and control circuitry 5380, as discussed above in connection withthe container 5100 of FIG. 51. Though the discussion in this paragraphrefers to one or more heating elements 5340, one of skill in the artwill recognize that this can also apply to one or more cooling elementsor one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectricelements), and that this disclosure is meant to apply to all theseoptions for the container 5300.

The PCM 5325 and heating element 5340 can operate as discussed above forthe PCM 5125, 5225 and heating element 5140, 5240. The heating element5340 can optionally be a resistive heater (such as a coil heater), or athermoelectric element (e.g., Peltier element). Operation of the heatingelement 5340 can induce a circulation flow (e.g., a convection current)in the chamber 5315 to create a convection or “waterfall effect,” asdiscussed above, which can advantageously result in the liquid in thebottom portion of the container 5300 and the liquid in the top portionof the container 5300 having substantially the same temperature (e.g.,differ in temperature by less than 15 degrees F., differs in temperatureby less than 10 degrees F., differ in temperature by less than 5 degreesF., differ in temperature by less than 3 degrees F., differ intemperature by less than 1 deg. F) such that liquid in the container5300 has a substantially uniform temperature during use of the container5300.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 5300, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-5200,5400-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 54 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 5400(hereinafter “container 5400”). The container 5400 is similar to thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 5400 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 5100 in FIG. 51, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 5400 begin with “54” instead of“51”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 5400 in FIG. 54, except asdescribed below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 5400 is excluded in FIG. 54 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 5400. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 5400 inFIG. 54 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 5400that is shown in FIG. 54.

As shown in FIG. 54, the chamber 5424 that contains the PCM 5425 extendssolely above a plane defined by the inner bottom wall 5412, so that thePCM 5425 is not disposed below the inner bottom wall 5412 (i.e., thechamber 5424 does not extend below the inner bottom wall 5412).

The heating element 5440 is optionally disposed above (e.g., on) theinner bottom wall 5412 and covers at least a portion of the inner bottomwall 5412 so that it is in direct thermal communication with liquid inthe chamber 5415. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element5440 covers substantially the entire bottom inner wall 5412. The heatingelement 5440 is optionally a resistive heater. In one embodiment, theheating element 5440 can be defined by a trace pattern screen printedonto the surface of the inner bottom wall 5412. Though the discussion inthis paragraph refers to one or more heating elements 5440, one of skillin the art will recognize that this can also apply to one or morecooling elements or one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant to apply toall these options for the container 5400.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 5400, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-5300,5500-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 55 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 5500(hereinafter “container 5500”). The container 5500 is similar to thecontainer 5400 shown in FIG. 54, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 5500 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 5400 in FIG. 54, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 5500 begin with “55” instead of“54”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainers 5100, 5400 shown in FIGS. 51, 54 are understood to apply tothe corresponding components of the container 5500 in FIG. 55, except asdescribed below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 5500 is excluded in FIG. 55 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 5500. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 5500 inFIG. 55 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 5500that is shown in FIG. 55.

As shown in FIG. 55, the container 5500 differs from the container 5400solely in that the heating element 5540 is optionally disposed below(e.g., in contact with a bottom surface of) the inner bottom wall 5512and covers at least a portion of the bottom surface of the inner bottomwall 5512 so that the heating element 5540 is in thermal communication(e.g., indirect thermal communication) with liquid in the chamber 5515via conduction heat transfer through the inner bottom wall 5512. Theheating element 5540 is optionally a resistive heater. In oneembodiment, the heating element 5540 can be defined by a trace patternscreen printed onto at least a portion of the bottom surface of theinner bottom wall 5512. A lead line (not shown) can extend from theheating element 5540 to one or both of the one or more power storageelements 5560 and control circuitry 5580, as discussed above inconnection with the container 5100 of FIG. 51. Though the discussion inthis paragraph refers to one or more heating elements 5540, one of skillin the art will recognize that this can also apply to one or morecooling elements or one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant to apply toall these options for the container 5500.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 5500, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-5400,5600-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 56 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 5600(hereinafter “container 5600”). The container 5600 is similar to thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 5600 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 5100 in FIG. 51, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 5600 begin with “56” instead of“51”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 5600 in FIG. 56, except asdescribed below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 5600 is excluded in FIG. 56 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 5600. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 5600 inFIG. 56 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 5600that is shown in FIG. 56.

In FIG. 56, the heating element is excluded to show the inner bottomwall 5612 of the container 5600 and the chamber 5624 that extendsbetween the second sidewall 5620 and outer side wall 5630 as well asbetween the inner bottom wall 5612 and the bottom plate 5636. In oneembodiment the chamber 5634 can be filled with air, which can providefor thermal insulation of the outer sidewall 5630 relative to the innerand second sidewalls 5610, 5620. Such insulation can facilitate theability of a user to comfortably hold the container 5600 with a hotliquid therein (e.g., for extended periods of time) without burningtheir hand or feeling uncomfortable after a while due to the heattransferred from the hot liquid to the outer sidewall 5630. Though theheating element is excluded from FIG. 56, one of skill in the art willrecognize that the container 5600 can have a heating element like theheating element 5140, 5240, 5340, 5440 or 5540 previously described.Though the discussion in this paragraph refers to one or more heatingelements, one of skill in the art will recognize that this can alsoapply to one or more cooling elements or one or more heating or coolingelements (e.g., thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure ismeant to apply to all these options for the container 5600.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 5600, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-5500,5700-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 57 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 5700(hereinafter “container 5700”). The container 5700 is similar to thecontainers 5100, 5600 shown in FIGS. 51,5 6, except as noted below.Thus, the reference numerals used to designate the various components ofthe container 5700 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 5100 in FIG. 51, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 5700 begin with “57” instead of“51”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 5700 in FIG. 57, except asdescribed below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 5700 is excluded in FIG. 57 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 5700. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 5700 inFIG. 57 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 5700that is shown in FIG. 57.

In FIG. 57, the chamber 5734 between the second sidewall 5720 and theouter sidewall 5730 can be filled with a material 5735. The material5735 can be a thermally insulating material, which can provide forthermal insulation of the outer sidewall 5730 relative to the inner andsecond sidewalls 5710, 5720. Such insulation can facilitate the abilityof a user to comfortably hold the container 5700 with a hot liquidtherein (e.g., for extended periods of time) without burning their handor feeling uncomfortable after a while due to the heat transferred fromthe hot liquid to the outer sidewall 5730. The material 5735 can be aplastic material, a polymer material or a metal. In some embodiments,the material 5735 is optionally a solid material (e.g., a foammaterial). In other embodiments, the material is optionally a liquidmaterial. Though the heating element is excluded from FIG. 57, one ofskill in the art will recognize that the container 5700 can have aheating element like the heating element 5140, 5240, 5340, 5440 or 5540previously described. Though the discussion in this paragraph refers toone or more heating elements, one of skill in the art will recognizethat this can also apply to one or more cooling elements or one or moreheating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric elements), and thatthis disclosure is meant to apply to all these options for the container5700.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 5700, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-5600,5800-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 58 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 5800(hereinafter “container 5800”). The container 5800 is similar to thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 5800 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 5100 in FIG. 51, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 5800 begin with “58” instead of“51”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 5800 in FIG. 58, except asdescribed below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 5800 is excluded in FIG. 58 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 5800. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 5800 inFIG. 58 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 5800that is shown in FIG. 58.

In FIG. 58, the heating element is excluded to show the inner bottomwall 5812 of the container 5800. Though the heating element is excludedfrom FIG. 58, one of skill in the art will recognize that the container5800 can have a heating element like the heating element 5140, 5240,5340, 5440 or 5540 previously described. Though the discussion in thisparagraph refers to one or more heating elements, one of skill in theart will recognize that this can also apply to one or more coolingelements or one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant to apply toall these options for the container 5800.

With continued reference to FIG. 58, the inner sidewall 5810 can be madeof a different material than the second sidewall 5820. In oneembodiment, the inner sidewall 5810 can be made of metal, such asstainless steel, and the second sidewall 5820 can be made of a differentmaterial (e.g., a plastic material) with lower thermal conductivityproperties, such that the second sidewall insulates the outer portion ofthe container 5800 from the liquid in the chamber 5815 and the innersidewall 5810. Such insulation can facilitate the ability of a user tocomfortably hold the container 5800 with a hot liquid therein (e.g., forextended periods of time) without burning their hand or feelinguncomfortable after a while due to the heat transferred from the hotliquid to the outer surface of the container 5800.

With continued reference to FIG. 58, the outer sidewall 5830 canoptionally be adjacent (e.g., in contact with) the second sidewall 5820so that there is no gap (such as chamber 5134 in FIG. 1) between thesecond sidewall 5820 and the outer sidewall 5830. As discussedpreviously, the outer sidewall 5830 can optionally be made of aninsulative material (e.g., a foam material, a plastic material, etc.).In another embodiment, the outer sidewall 5830 can be excluded such thatthe second sidewall 5820 defines the outer wall of the container 5800.In such an embodiment, the chambers 5850, 5870 that house the one ormore power storage elements 5860 and control circuitry 5880 would have asidewall that is generally aligned with the second sidewall 5820.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 5800, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-5700,5900-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 59 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 5900(hereinafter “container 5900”). The container 5900 is similar to thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 5900 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 5100 in FIG. 51, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 5900 begin with “59” instead of“51”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 5900 in FIG. 59, except asdescribed below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 5900 is excluded in FIG. 59 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 5900. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 5900 inFIG. 59 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 5900that is shown in FIG. 59.

In FIG. 59, the heating element is excluded to show the inner bottomwall 5912 of the container 5900. Though the heating element is excludedfrom FIG. 59, one of skill in the art will recognize that the container5900 can have a heating element like the heating element 5140, 5240,5340, 5440 or 5540 previously described. Though the discussion in thisparagraph refers to one or more heating elements, one of skill in theart will recognize that this can also apply to one or more coolingelements or one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant to apply toall these options for the container 5900.

With continued reference to FIG. 59, the chamber 5934 between the secondsidewall 5920 and the outer sidewall 5930 can be under a vacuum so thatit defines a vacuum insulated chamber. The chamber 5934 can thereforethermally insulate the outer sidewall 5930 from the inner and secondsidewalls 5910, 5920 to facilitate the ability of a user to comfortablyhold the container 5900 with a hot liquid therein (e.g., for extendedperiods of time) without burning their hand or feeling uncomfortableafter a while due to the heat transferred from the hot liquid to theouter surface of the container 5900. The chamber 5934 can also thermallyinsulate the bottom plate 5936 from the second bottom wall 5922.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 5900, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-5800,6000-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 60 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 6000(hereinafter “container 6000”). The container 6000 is similar to thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 6000 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 5100 in FIG. 51, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 6000 begin with “60” instead of“51”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 5100 shown in FIG. 51 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 6000 in FIG. 60, except asdescribed below. The container 100I excludes the use of a phase changematerial (PCM) and chamber where the PCM is contained.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 6000 is excluded in FIG. 60 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 6000. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 6000 inFIG. 60 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 6000that is shown in FIG. 60.

As shown in FIG. 60, the container 6000 has an inner sidewall 6010(e.g., circumferential or cylindrical inner sidewall 6010) and an innerbottom wall 6012 that together at least partially define the chamber6015 in the container that holds liquid (e.g., hot coffee, hot tea,soup, hot chocolate). The container has an outer sidewall 6030 radiallyspaced apart from the inner sidewall 6010 to define a chamber 6034(e.g., annular chamber or gap) therebetween. Additionally, the outersidewall 6030 has one or more proximal openings 6033 b formed in aproximal portion of the outer sidewall 6030 and one or more distalopenings 6033 a formed in a distal portion of the outer sidewall 6030.The openings 6033 a, 6033 b allow air to flow through the one or moredistal openings 6033 a, along the chamber 6034 and out the one or moreproximal openings 6033 b, where said airflow provides a passive chimneyeffect to draw heat away from the inner sidewall 6010 and therefore drawheat from the liquid in the chamber 6015. Said airflow can alsofacilitate thermal insulation of the outer sidewall 6030 relative to theinner sidewall 6010 to facilitate the ability of a user to comfortablyhold the container 6000 with a hot liquid therein (e.g., for extendedperiods of time) without burning their hand or feeling uncomfortableafter a while due to the heat transferred from the hot liquid to theouter surface of the container 6000.

Optionally, the one or more proximal and distal openings 6033 b, 6033 acan remain open at all times such that said chimney effect through thechamber 6034 is available during use of the container 6000. In otherembodiments, one or both of the one or more proximal and distal openings6033 b, 6033 a can be selectively closed, as further described below.

Optionally, the container 6000 can have a heat sink 6090 in thermalcommunication with the inner side wall 6010. In the illustratedembodiment, the heat sink 6090 is adjacent an outer surface of the innersidewall 6010 with one or more fins 6092 (e.g., a plurality of fins6092) extending into the chamber 6034 so that the fin(s) 6092 areexposed to the airflow through the chamber 6034. The heat sink 6090 canfacilitate the removal of heat from the inner sidewall 6010 andtherefore from the chamber 6015 that holds the liquid.

The outer sidewall 6030 can optionally be a single wall, and canoptionally be made of a thermally insulative material (e.g., a plasticmaterial, a foam material, etc.). In other embodiments, the outersidewall 6030 can optionally define a chamber therein (e.g., be definedby two walls) that can contain air, or can be a vacuum chamber, toprovide thermal insulation to the outer sidewall 6030 relative to theinner sidewall 6010 and liquid in the chamber 6015.

In FIG. 60, the heating element is excluded to show the inner bottomwall 6012 of the container 6000. Though the heating element is excludedfrom FIG. 60, one of skill in the art will recognize that the container6000 can have a heating element like the heating element 5140, 5240,5340, 5440 or 5540 previously described (e.g., a heating elementdisposed above the inner bottom wall 6012 or disposed below the innerbottom wall 6012, or disposed in thermal communication with at least aportion of the inner sidewall 6010; a resistive heater or Peltierelement; a screen printed heating element printed on the inner bottomwall 6012, etc.). Though the discussion in this paragraph refers to oneor more heating elements, one of skill in the art will recognize thatthis can also apply to one or more cooling elements or one or moreheating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric elements), and thatthis disclosure is meant to apply to all these options for the container6000.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 6000, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-5900,6100-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 61 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 6100(hereinafter “container 6100”). The container 6100 is similar to thecontainer 5100, 6000 shown in FIGS. 51 and 60, except as noted below.Thus, the reference numerals used to designate the various components ofthe container 6100 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 5100 in FIG. 51 and thecontainer 6000 in FIG. 60, except that the reference numerals of thecontainer 6100 begin with “61” instead of “51” or “60”. Therefore thedescription for the various components of the container 5100 shown inFIG. 51, and of the container 6000 shown in FIG. 60, are understood toapply to the corresponding components of the container 6100 in FIG. 61,except as described below. The container 6100 excludes the use of aphase change material (PCM) and chamber where the PCM is contained.

The container 6100 differs from the container 6000 in that one or moreof the one or more proximal or distal openings 6133 a, 6133 b areselectively closed to inhibit or cease the chimney effect of airflowthrough the chamber 6134, as described above in connection with thecontainer 6000. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more proximalopenings 6133 b are selectively closed with one or more gates 6195 toprevent airflow through the openings 6133 b, thereby ceasing the chimneyairflow effect through the chamber 6134. Though only the one or moregates 6195 are shown that selectively close the one or more proximalopenings 6133 b, one of skill in the art will understand thatalternatively, or additionally, gates can be actuated to selectivelyclose the one or more distal openings 6133 b in the outer sidewall 6130.

The one or more gates 6195 can be actuated mechanically or electrically.In one embodiment, the one or more gates 6195 can be manually slid tocover or close the one or more proximal openings 6133 b. For example, auser can push a slide button or lever on a surface of the container 6100that is mechanically coupled to the one or more gates 6195, whereactuation of the push button or lever by the user slides the one or moregates 6195 to cover or uncover the one or more proximal openings 6133 b.

In another embodiment, the one or more gates 6195 can be driven by anelectrical actuator (e.g., electric motor, solenoid, electromagnet,etc.), which can be powered by the one or more power storage elements6160 and/or controlled by the control circuitry 6180, and which can beactuated by a user pushing on a user interface (e.g., button) on asurface of the container 6100.

In another embodiment, the one or more gates 6195 can be automaticallydriven by the electrical actuator. For example, the control circuitry6180 can have a receiver that receives commands from a remote mobilephone or tablet computer, and can actuate the one or more gates 6195 toselectively close or open the one or more proximal openings 6133 b. Instill another embodiment, the control circuitry 6180 can optionallyactuate the one or more gates 6195 to selectively open or close the oneor more proximal openings 6133 b based at least in part on a sensedparameter during use of the container 6100. For example, the controlcircuitry 6180 can actuate the one or more gates 6195 to close the oneor more proximal openings 6133 b based on sensed temperature informationfor the liquid in the chamber 6115 to inhibit further cooling of theliquid in the chamber 6115. In another embodiment, the control circuitry6180 can actuate the one or more gates 6195 to close the one or moreproximal openings 6133 b based on a sensed energy level of the one ormore power storage elements 6160 to conserve energy as closing the oneor more proximal openings 6133 b will result in a decreased loss of heatfrom the liquid in the chamber 6115, which will therefore require lessenergy input from a heating element of the container 6100 to maintainthe liquid in the chamber 6115 at a predetermined or user selectedtemperature, thereby reducing the power demand and increasing theoperating life of the one or more power storage elements 6160.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 6100, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-6000,6200-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 62 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 6200(hereinafter “container 6200”). In the illustrated embodiment, thedrinkware container 6200 is in the form of a baby or infant bottle. Someof the features of the container 6200 are similar to features in thecontainer 5100 in FIG. 51. Thus, references numerals used to designatethe various components of the container 6200 are identical to those usedfor identifying the corresponding components of the container 5100 inFIG. 51, except that the reference numerals of the container 6200 beginwith “62” instead of “51”. Therefore, the description for the variouscomponents of the container 5100 in FIG. 51 is understood to apply tothe corresponding components of the container 6200 in FIG. 62, except asdescribed below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 6200 is excluded in FIG. 62 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 6200. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 6200 inFIG. 62 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 6200that is shown in FIG. 62.

As shown in FIG. 62, a connector 6297 attaches to a proximal end of thecontainer 6200 so that it covers the lip 6231. In the illustratedembodiment, the connector 6297 can optionally include a nipple. Thenipple can be of a flexible material (e.g., rubber) such as those usedin baby bottles, or can be or a relatively rigid material (e.g.,plastic) such as those used in sippy cups.

The container 6200 has an inner sidewall 6210 and inner bottom wall 6212that together define a chamber 6215 that receives and holds a liquid(e.g., milk) therein. The container 6200 also has an outer sidewall 6230that circumferentially surrounds and is radially spaced apart from theinner sidewall 6210 so as to define an annular chamber 6234therebetween. The annular chamber 6234 can optionally extend below theinner bottom wall 6212 so that there is a gap between the inner bottomwall 6212 and a bottom plate 6236. The annular chamber 6234 canoptionally be filled with air, which can facilitate thermal insulationof the outer sidewall 6230 of the container 6200 relative to the innersidewall 6210 and liquid in the chamber 6215. In another embodiment, theannular chamber 6234 can optionally be under vacuum to provide a vacuumchamber that facilitates thermal insulation of the outer sidewall 6230of the container 6200 relative to the inner sidewall 6210 and liquid inthe chamber 6215. In still another embodiment, the annular chamber 6234can be filled with a material (e.g., insulative material, such as foam,that can facilitate thermal insulation of the outer sidewall 6230 of thecontainer 6200 relative to the inner sidewall 6210 and liquid in thechamber 6215. In one embodiment, the outer sidewall 6230 can optionallybe of a different material than the material of the inner sidewall 6210.In another embodiment, the inner sidewall 6210 and outer sidewall 6230can be made of the same material (e.g., glass, a plastic material, ametal).

A chamber 6250 can be defined between the bottom plate 6236 and a secondbottom plate 6232, where the chamber 6250 can optionally removably houseone or both of one or more power storage elements 6260 and controlcircuitry 6280 therein.

The container 6200 can have a heating element 6240 optionally disposedbelow (e.g., in contact with a bottom surface of) the inner bottom wall6212 that covers at least a portion of the bottom surface of the innerbottom wall 6212 so that the heating element 6240 is in thermalcommunication (e.g., indirect thermal communication) with liquid in thechamber 6215 via conduction heat transfer through the inner bottom wall6212. The heating element 6240 is optionally a resistive heater. Inother embodiments, the heating element 6240 can optionally be athermoelectric element (e.g., Peltier element). In some embodiments, asdiscussed above, the heating element 6240 can be defined by a tracepattern screen printed onto at least a portion of the bottom surface ofthe inner bottom wall 6212. A lead line (not shown) can extend from theheating element 6240 to one or both of the one or more power storageelements 6260 and control circuitry 6280, as discussed above inconnection with the container 5100 of FIG. 51. Though the embodiment inFIG. 62 shows the heating element 6240 disposed below the inner bottomwall 6212, in other embodiments the heating element 6240 can be disposedabove the inner bottom wall 6212, similar to the heating element 5140shown in FIG. 51, so that it is in thermal communication (e.g., directthermal communication) with liquid in the chamber 6215. Though thediscussion in this paragraph refers to one or more heating elements6240, one of skill in the art will recognize that this can also apply toone or more cooling elements or one or more heating or cooling elements(e.g., thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant toapply to all these options for the container 6200.

The control circuitry 6280 can control the operation of the heatingelement 6240 to control the amount of energy supplied to the liquid inthe chamber 6215 to maintain or increase the temperature of the liquid.Optionally, the control circuitry 6280 can control delivery of power tothe heating element 6240 based at least in part on information from oneor more sensors that sense a parameter of quality of the liquid (e.g.,temperature, volume, acidity, pH) where said one or more sensors can beon a surface of one or both of the inner sidewall 6210 and inner bottomwall 6212.

The control circuitry can include a memory that stores or receives oneor more algorithms that can be executed by the control circuitry 6280 tocontrol the operation of the heating element 6240 and/or to determine aparameter of the liquid based on sensed information. In one embodiment,such algorithms can be used to determine one or more parameters of theliquid in the container 6200 based on sensed information for anotherparameter of the liquid. In one embodiment, the container 6200 caninclude a sensor in communication with the chamber 6215 (e.g., incontact with the inner sidewall 6210 or inner bottom wall 6212, whosesensed information can provide an indication of a temperature of theliquid in the container 6200, and an algorithm can calculate a volume ofthe liquid in the chamber 6215 based on the sensed information of thesame sensor. For example, by sensing how long it takes for the liquid tochange temperature upon actuation of the heating element 6240, thealgorithm can calculate the approximate volume of liquid in the chamber6215 (e.g., if the container 6200 is full of liquid, it may take Xseconds for the sensed temperature to change, but if the container 6200is half-full of liquid, it may take Y seconds for the sensed temperatureto change). Though such algorithms are described in connection with thecontainer 6200, one of skill in the art will recognize that suchalgorithms can be implemented or use by the control circuitry 5180-6180,6380, 6580, 6680-6880 of the other containers 5100-6100, 6300, 6400,6500, 6600-6800 disclosed herein.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 6200, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-6100,6300-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 63 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 6300(hereinafter “container 6300”). The container 6300 is similar to thecontainer 6200 shown in FIG. 62, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 6300 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 6200 in FIG. 62, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 6300 begin with “63” instead of“62”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 6200 shown in FIG. 62 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 6300 in FIG. 63, except asdescribed below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 6300 is excluded in FIG. 63 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 6300. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 6300 inFIG. 63 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 6300that is shown in FIG. 63.

As shown in FIG. 63, the heating element 6340 optionally surrounds atleast a portion of the inner sidewall 6310 (e.g., surrounds the innersidewall 6310 along substantially its entire length). The heatingelement 6340 can optionally be a resistive heater, such as a coilheater. In another embodiment, the heating element 6340 can be athermoelectric element (e.g., Peltier element). Though the discussion inthis paragraph refers to one or more heating elements 6340, one of skillin the art will recognize that this can also apply to one or morecooling elements or one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant to apply toall these options for the container 6300.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 6300, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-6200,6400-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 64 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 6400(hereinafter “container 6400”). The container 6400 can be similar to thecontainer 6200, 6300 shown in FIGS. 62-63, except as noted below. Thus,the reference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 6400 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 6200, 6300 in FIGS. 62-63,except that the reference numerals of the container 6400 begin with “64”instead of “62” or “63”. Therefore the description for the variouscomponents of the container 6200, 6300 shown in FIGS. 62-63 areunderstood to apply to the corresponding components of the container6400 in FIG. 64, except as described below.

As shown in FIG. 64, the container 6400 optionally has one or moreviewing windows W on the outer sidewall 6430 that allow viewing of theliquid in the container 6400 (e.g., to see the level of the liquid inthe container 6400). Though such one or more viewing windows W are shownin connection with container 6400, one of skill in the art willrecognize that such one or more viewing windows W can be incorporatedinto the other containers 5100-5300, 6500, 6600-6800 disclosed herein.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 6400, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-6300,6500-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 65 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 6500(hereinafter “container 6500”). The container 6500 is similar to thecontainer 6200 shown in FIG. 62, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 6500 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 6200 in FIG. 62, except thatreference numerals of the container 6500 begin with “65” instead of“62”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 6200 shown in FIG. 62 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 6500 in FIG. 65, except asdescribed below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 6500 is excluded in FIG. 65 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 6500. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 6500 inFIG. 65 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 6500that is shown in FIG. 65.

As shown in FIG. 65, the heating element 6540 optionally surrounds atleast a portion of the inner sidewall 6510 (e.g., surrounds the innersidewall 6510 along less than half its length). The heating element 6540can optionally be a resistive heater, such as a coil heater. In anotherembodiment, the heating element 6540 can be a thermoelectric element(e.g., Peltier element). In the illustrated embodiment, the heatingelement 6540 surrounds a bottom portion of the inner sidewall 6510(proximate the bottom inner wall 6512). However, in other embodiments,the heating element 6540 can optionally surround the top portion of theinner sidewall 6510, or can optionally surround an intermediate portionof the inner sidewall 6510 that is between the bottom and top ends ofthe inner sidewall 6510. Though the discussion in this paragraph refersto one or more heating elements 6540, one of skill in the art willrecognize that this can also apply to one or more cooling elements orone or more heating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric elements),and that this disclosure is meant to apply to all these options for thecontainer 6500.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 6500, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-6400,6600-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 66 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 6600(hereinafter “container 6600”). The container 6600 is similar to thecontainer 6200 shown in FIG. 62, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 6600 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 6200 in FIG. 62, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 6600 begin with “66” instead of“62”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 6200 shown in FIG. 62 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 6600 in FIG. 66, except asdescribed below.

As only a cross-section is shown, the other half of the drinkwarecontainer 6600 is excluded in FIG. 66 to illustrate the variouscomponents of the container 6600. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 6600 inFIG. 66 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 6600that is shown in FIG. 66.

As shown in FIG. 66, the heating element 6640 includes a bottom heatingelement 6640 a 1 optionally disposed below (e.g., in contact with abottom surface of) the inner bottom wall 6612 that covers at least aportion of the bottom surface of the inner bottom wall 6612 so that theheating element 6640 a is in thermal communication (e.g., indirectthermal communication) with liquid in the chamber 6615 via conductionheat transfer through the inner bottom wall 6612. The heating element6640 also includes a side heating element 6640 b that optionallysurrounds at least a portion of the inner sidewall 6610 (e.g., surroundsthe inner sidewall 6610 along less than half its length). One or both ofthe bottom and side heating elements 6640 a, 6640 b can optionally be aresistive heater, such as a coil heater. In another embodiment, one orboth of the bottom and side heating elements 6640 a, 6640 b can be athermoelectric element (e.g., Peltier element). In the illustratedembodiment, the side heating element 6640 b surrounds a bottom portionof the inner sidewall 6610 (proximate the bottom inner wall 6612).However, in other embodiments, the heating element 6640 b can optionallysurround the top portion of the inner sidewall 6610, or can optionallysurround an intermediate portion of the inner sidewall 6610 that isbetween the bottom and top ends of the inner sidewall 6610. Though thediscussion in this paragraph refers to one or more heating elements6640, one of skill in the art will recognize that this can also apply toone or more cooling elements or one or more heating or cooling elements(e.g., thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant toapply to all these options for the container 6600.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 6600, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-6500,6700-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 67 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 6700(hereinafter “container 6700”). The container 6700 is similar to thecontainer 6200 shown in FIG. 62, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 6700 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 6200 in FIG. 62, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 6700 begin with “67” instead of“62”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 6200 shown in FIG. 62 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 6700 in FIG. 67, except asdescribed below.

FIG. 67 shows a cross-section of the outer sidewall 6730 and connector6797, as well as a cross-section of the chamber 6750, wall 6732 and oneor more power storage elements 6760 and control circuitry 6780. Theother half of these components is excluded in FIG. 67 to illustrate thevarious components of the container 6700. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 6700 inFIG. 67 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 6700that is shown in FIG. 67.

As shown in FIG. 67, the heating element 6740 can optionally be a bandthat extends along at least a portion of the length of the sidewall 6710(e.g., along substantially the entire length of the inner sidewall6710). The heating element 6740 can have a width that is less than acircumference of the sidewall 6710, such that the heating element 6740only extends over a portion of the circumference of the inner sidewall6710. The heating element 6740 can optionally be a resistive heater. Inanother embodiment, the heating element 6740 can be a thermoelectricelement (e.g., Peltier element). In the illustrated embodiment, theheating element 6740 optionally extends along substantially the entirelength of the inner sidewall 6710. In another embodiment, the heatingelement 6740 can optionally extend over only a portion (e.g., less thanhalf, less than ⅓) of the length of the inner sidewall 6710. Though thediscussion in this paragraph refers to one or more heating elements6740, one of skill in the art will recognize that this can also apply toone or more cooling elements or one or more heating or cooling elements(e.g., thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant toapply to all these options for the container 6700.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 6700, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-6600,6800-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 68 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 6800(hereinafter “container 6800”). The container 6800 is similar to thecontainer 6200 shown in FIG. 62, except as noted below. Thus, thereference numerals used to designate the various components of thecontainer 6800 are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the container 6200 in FIG. 62, except thatthe reference numerals of the container 6800 begin with “68” instead of“62”. Therefore the description for the various components of thecontainer 6200 shown in FIG. 62 are understood to apply to thecorresponding components of the container 6800 in FIG. 68, except asdescribed below.

FIG. 68 shows a cross-section of the outer sidewall 6830 and connector6897, as well as a cross-section of the chamber 6850, wall 6832 and oneor more power storage elements 6860 and control circuitry 6880. Theother half of these components is excluded in FIG. 68 to illustrate thevarious components of the container 6800. One of skill in the art willunderstand that the excluded portion of the drinkware container 6800 inFIG. 68 is a mirror image of the portion of the drinkware container 6800that is shown in FIG. 68.

As shown in FIG. 68, the heating element 6840 includes a bottom heatingelement 6840 b optionally disposed below (e.g., in contact with a bottomsurface of) the inner bottom wall 6812 that covers at least a portion ofthe bottom surface of the inner bottom wall 6812 so that the heatingelement 6840 b is in thermal communication (e.g., indirect thermalcommunication) with liquid in the chamber 6815 via conduction heattransfer through the inner bottom wall 6812. The heating element 6840also includes a side heating element 6840 a that can optionally be aband that extends along at least a portion of the length of the sidewall6810 (e.g., along substantially the entire length of the inner sidewall6810). The heating element 6840 a can have a width that is less than acircumference of the sidewall 6810, such that the heating element 6840 aonly extends over a portion of the circumference of the inner sidewall6810. One or both of the bottom and side heating elements 6840 b, 6840 acan optionally be a resistive heater, such as a coil heater. In anotherembodiment, one or both of the bottom and side heating elements 6840 b,6840 a can be a thermoelectric element (e.g., Peltier element). In theillustrated embodiment, the side heating element 6840 a optionallyextends along substantially the entire length of the inner sidewall6810. In another embodiment, the side heating element 6840 a canoptionally extend over only a portion (e.g., less than half, less than⅓) of the length of the inner sidewall 6810. Though the discussion inthis paragraph refers to one or more heating elements 6840, one of skillin the art will recognize that this can also apply to one or morecooling elements or one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant to apply toall these options for the container 6800.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 6800, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-6700,6900-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIGS. 69A-69B illustrate an embodiment of a drinkware container 6900(hereinafter “container 6900”). In the illustrated embodiment, thedrinkware container 6900 is in the form of a baby or infant bottle. Someof the features of the container 6900 are similar to features in thecontainer 6200 in FIG. 62. Thus, references numerals used to designatethe various components of the container 6900 are identical to those usedfor identifying the corresponding components of the container 6200 inFIG. 62, except that the reference numerals of the container 6900 beginwith “69” instead of “62”. Therefore, the structure and description forthe various components of the container 6200 in FIG. 62 is understood toapply to the corresponding components of the container 6900 in FIGS.69A-69B, except as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 69A-69B, a connector 6997 attaches to a proximal endof the container 6900 so that it covers a lip (not shown, but similar to6231 in FIG. 62). In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 6997 canoptionally include a nipple. The nipple can be of a flexible material(e.g., rubber) such as those used in baby bottles, or can be or arelatively rigid material (e.g., plastic) such as those used in sippycups.

The container 6900 an outer sidewall 6930 and a chamber 6950 at a bottomof the container 6900 and defined at least in part by a bottom surface6936 of the container 6900.

With continued reference to FIGS. 69A-69B, a module 6990 (e.g., aheating module) can optionally include one or more of heating elements6940 (similar to heating element 6240), one or more power storageelement (not shown, but similar to power storage element 6260) and/orcontrol circuitry (not shown, but similar to control circuitry 6280).The module 6990 can removably couple to the bottom portion of thecontainer 6900 so that the one or more heating elements 6940 is incontact with the bottom surface 6936. In another embodiment, the one ormore heating elements can be incorporated into the container 6900 (asdisclosed in other embodiments herein), and power to the one or moreheating elements can be communicated from the module 6990 via one ormore electrical contacts between the container 6900 and the module 6990.Though the discussion in this paragraph refers to one or more heatingelements 6940, one of skill in the art will recognize that this can alsoapply to one or more cooling elements or one or more heating or coolingelements (e.g., thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure ismeant to apply to all these options for the container 6900.

The module 6990 can have one or more magnets 6992 configured tomagnetically couple to one or more magnets 6994 on the bottom surface6936 to couple the module 6990 to the container 6900. Once the user isdone using the module 6990 (e.g., to heat a liquid in the container6900), the user can decouple the module 6990 from the container 6900(e.g., to allow the container 6900 to be washed).

Advantageously, because the module 6900 is removable, it can be usedwith a plurality of separate containers 6900. Thus, a user can use onemodule 6990 to heat a plurality of separate containers 6900 and need notpurchase a plurality of containers that each includes its separateelectronics and heating unit.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 6900, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-6800,7000-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIGS. 70A-70B illustrate an embodiment of a drinkware container 7000(hereinafter “container 7000”). In the illustrated embodiment, thedrinkware container 7000 is in the form of a baby or infant bottle. Someof the features of the container 7000 are similar to features in thecontainer 6200 in FIG. 62. Thus, references numerals used to designatethe various components of the container 7000 are identical to those usedfor identifying the corresponding components of the container 6200 inFIG. 62, except that the reference numerals of the container 7000 beginwith “70” instead of “62”. Therefore, the structure and description forthe various components of the container 6200 in FIG. 62 is understood toapply to the corresponding components of the container 7000 in FIGS.70A-70B, except as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 70A-70B, a connector 7097 attaches to a proximal endof the container 7000 so that it covers a lip (not shown, but similar to6231 in FIG. 62). In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 7097 canoptionally include a nipple. The nipple can be of a flexible material(e.g., rubber) such as those used in baby bottles, or can be or arelatively rigid material (e.g., plastic) such as those used in sippycups.

The container 7000 an outer sidewall 7030 and a chamber 7050 at a bottomof the container 7000 and defined at least in part by a bottom surface7036 of the container 7000.

With continued reference to FIGS. 70A-70B, a module 7090 can optionallyinclude one or more of heating elements 7040 (similar to heating element6240), one or more power storage element (not shown, but similar topower storage element 6260) and/or control circuitry (not shown, butsimilar to control circuitry 6280). The module 7090 can removably coupleto the bottom portion of the container 7000 so that the one or moreheating elements 7040 is in contact with the bottom surface 7036. Inanother embodiment, the one or more heating elements can be incorporatedinto the container 7000 (as disclosed in other embodiments herein), andpower to the one or more heating elements can be communicated from themodule 7090 via one or more electrical contacts between the container7000 and the module 7090. Though the discussion in this paragraph refersto one or more heating elements 7040, one of skill in the art willrecognize that this can also apply to one or more cooling elements orone or more heating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric elements),and that this disclosure is meant to apply to all these options for thecontainer 7000.

The module 7090 can have a threaded portion 7092 configured tothreadably couple to a threaded portion 7094 on a bottom of thecontainer 7000 to couple the module 7090 to the container 7000. Once theuser is done using the module 7090 (e.g., to heat a liquid in thecontainer 7000), the user can decouple the module 7090 from thecontainer 7000 (e.g., to allow the container 7000 to be washed).

Advantageously, because the module 7090 is removable, it can be usedwith a plurality of separate containers 7000. Thus, a user can use onemodule 7090 to heat a plurality of separate containers 7000 and need notpurchase a plurality of containers that each includes its separateelectronics and heating unit.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 7000, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-6900,7100-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIGS. 71A-71B illustrate an embodiment of a drinkware container 7100(hereinafter “container 7100”). In the illustrated embodiment, thedrinkware container 7100 is in the form of a baby or infant bottle. Someof the features of the container 7100 are similar to features in thecontainer 6200 in FIG. 62. Thus, references numerals used to designatethe various components of the container 7100 are identical to those usedfor identifying the corresponding components of the container 6200 inFIG. 62, except that the reference numerals of the container 7100 beginwith “71” instead of “62”. Therefore, the structure and description forthe various components of the container 6200 in FIG. 62 is understood toapply to the corresponding components of the container 7100 in FIGS.71A-71B, except as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 71A-71B, a connector 7197 attaches to a proximal endof the container 7100 so that it covers a lip (not shown, but similar to6231 in FIG. 62). In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 7197 canoptionally include a nipple. The nipple can be of a flexible material(e.g., rubber) such as those used in baby bottles, or can be or arelatively rigid material (e.g., plastic) such as those used in sippycups.

The container 7100 an outer sidewall 7130 and a chamber 7150 at a bottomof the container 7100 and defined at least in part by a bottom surface7136 of the container 7100.

With continued reference to FIGS. 71A-71B, a module 7190 can optionallyinclude one or more of heating elements (similar to heating element6240), one or more power storage element (not shown, but similar topower storage element 6260) and/or control circuitry (not shown, butsimilar to control circuitry 6280). The module 7190 can removably coupleto the bottom portion of the container 7100 in a press-fit manner sothat the one or more heating elements of the module 7190 contact thebottom surface 7136. In another embodiment, the one or more heatingelements can be incorporated into the container 7100 (as disclosed inother embodiments herein), and power to the one or more heating elementscan be communicated from the module 7190 via one or more electricalcontacts 7192 that contact electrical contacts 7194 of the container7100. Additionally, power can be provided to one or more sensors (e.g.,temperature sensors, capacitance sensors, tilt sensors) in the container7100 via an electrical contact 7196 in the module 7190 that contacts anelectrical contact 7198 in the container 7100 when the module 7190 iscoupled to the container 7100. Though the discussion in this paragraphrefers to one or more heating elements, one of skill in the art willrecognize that this can also apply to one or more cooling elements orone or more heating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric elements),and that this disclosure is meant to apply to all these options for thecontainer 7100.

Once the user is done using the module 7190 (e.g., to heat a liquid inthe container 7100), the user can decouple the module 7190 from thecontainer 7100 (e.g., to allow the container 7100 to be washed).

Advantageously, because the module 7190 is removable, it can be usedwith a plurality of separate containers 7100. Thus, a user can use onemodule 7190 to heat a plurality of separate containers 7100 and need notpurchase a plurality of containers that each includes its separateelectronics and heating unit.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 7100, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-7000,7200-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIGS. 72A-72B illustrate an embodiment of a drinkware container 7200(hereinafter “container 7200”). In the illustrated embodiment, thedrinkware container 7200 is in the form of a baby or infant bottle. Someof the features of the container 7200 are similar to features in thecontainer 6200 in FIG. 62. Thus, references numerals used to designatethe various components of the container 7200 are identical to those usedfor identifying the corresponding components of the container 6200 inFIG. 62, except that the reference numerals of the container 7200 beginwith “72” instead of “62”. Therefore, the structure and description forthe various components of the container 6200 in FIG. 62 is understood toapply to the corresponding components of the container 7200 in FIGS.72A-72B, except as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 72A-72B, a connector 7297 attaches to a proximal endof the container 7200 so that it covers a lip (not shown, but similar to6231 in FIG. 62). In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 7297 canoptionally include a nipple. The nipple can be of a flexible material(e.g., rubber) such as those used in baby bottles, or can be or arelatively rigid material (e.g., plastic) such as those used in sippycups.

The container 7200 an outer sidewall 7230 and a chamber 7250 at a bottomof the container 7200 and defined at least in part by a bottom surface7236 of the container 7200.

With continued reference to FIGS. 72A-72B, a module 7290 can include oneor more of heating elements 7240 (similar to heating element 6240), oneor more power storage element (not shown, but similar to power storageelement 6260) and/or control circuitry (not shown, but similar tocontrol circuitry 6280). The module 7290 can removably couple to thebottom portion of the container 7200 so that the one or more heatingelements 7240 is in contact with the bottom surface 7236. In anotherembodiment, the one or more heating elements can be incorporated intothe container 7200 (as disclosed in other embodiments herein), and powerto the one or more heating elements can be communicated from the module7290 via one or more electrical contacts between the container 7200 andthe module 7290. Though the discussion in this paragraph refers to oneor more heating elements 7240, one of skill in the art will recognizethat this can also apply to one or more cooling elements or one or moreheating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric elements), and thatthis disclosure is meant to apply to all these options for the container7200.

The module 7290 can have a pin portion 7292 configured to couple to anotched or recessed portion 7294 on a bottom of the container 7200 tocouple the module 7290 to the container 7200 in a twist-lock manner(e.g., by inserting the module 7290 into the chamber 7250 and rotatingthe module 7290, for example a quarter turn, to lock the module 7290 tothe container 7200). Once the user is done using the module 7290 (e.g.,to heat a liquid in the container 7200), the user can decouple themodule 7290 from the container 7200 (e.g., to allow the container 7200to be washed).

Advantageously, because the module 7290 is removable, it can be usedwith a plurality of separate containers 7200. Thus, a user can use onemodule 7290 to heat a plurality of separate containers 7200 and need notpurchase a plurality of containers that each includes its separateelectronics and heating unit.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 7200, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-7100,7300-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIG. 73 illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 7300(hereinafter “container 7300”). In the illustrated embodiment, thedrinkware container 7300 is in the form of a baby or infant bottle. Someof the features of the container 7300 are similar to features in thecontainer 6900 in FIGS. 69A-69B. Thus, references numerals used todesignate the various components of the container 7300 are identical tothose used for identifying the corresponding components of the container6900 in FIGS. 69A-69B, except that the reference numerals of thecontainer 7300 begin with “73” instead of “69”. Therefore, the structureand description for the various components of the container 6900 inFIGS. 69A-69B is understood to apply to the corresponding components ofthe container 7300 in FIG. 73, except as described below.

As shown in FIG. 73, the container 7300 can include a cover 7310 and acap 7320. In one embodiment, the cover 7310 can be a clear polycarbonatecover. In one embodiment, the cap 7320 can be made of plastic. Thecontainer 7300 can also include connector 7397 (see FIGS. 74A-74B) thatattaches to a cap 7320 and extends into the cover 7310 when the cover7310 is disposed over the cap 7320. In one embodiment, the connector7397 can optionally include a nipple. The nipple can be of a flexiblematerial (e.g., rubber) such as those used in baby bottles, or can be ora relatively rigid material (e.g., plastic) such as those used in sippycups. The cap 7320 can attach to an outer sidewall 7330 so that itcovers a lip (not shown, but similar to lip 6231 in FIG. 62), and theouter sidewall 7330 together with a bottom surface 7336 of the container7300 defines a chamber 7315 that can hold a liquid (e.g., milk, water).The outer sidewall 7330 can in one embodiment be made of clearpolycarbonate material. The bottom surface or wall 7336 can in oneembodiment be made of metal, and be embedded into a bottom of thecontainer 7300, as described further below.

With continued reference to FIG. 73, a module 7390 (e.g., a heatingmodule) can optionally include one or more of heating elements 7340(similar to heating element 6940 in FIG. 69A), one or more power storageelement (not shown, but similar to power storage element 6260 in FIG.62) and/or control circuitry (not shown, but similar to controlcircuitry 6280 in FIG. 62). In embodiments where the element 7340 is athermoelectric module, the element can function in heating or coolingmode to heat or cool the liquid in the container 7300. The module 7390can removably couple to the bottom portion of the container 7300 so thatthe one or more heating elements 7340 is in contact with the bottomsurface 7336. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the electronics are onlyhoused in the module 7390, not in the vessel defined by the outersidewall 7330 and bottom surface or wall 7336. In another embodiment,the one or more heating elements can be incorporated into the container7300 (as disclosed in other embodiments herein), and power to the one ormore heating elements can be communicated from the module 7390 via oneor more electrical contacts between the container 7300 and the module7390 (such as disclosed above in connection with container 7100). Thoughthe discussion in this paragraph refers to one or more heating elements7340, one of skill in the art will recognize that this can also apply toone or more cooling elements or one or more heating or cooling elements(e.g., thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant toapply to all these options for the container 7300.

The module 7390 can have one or more magnets 7392 (see FIGS. 74A-74B)configured to magnetically couple to the bottom surface 7336 where thesurface 7336 is made of metal. In other embodiments, where the bottomsurface 7336 is not made of metal (e.g., it's made of polycarbonatematerial), the bottom surface 7336 can have one or more magnets on anouter surface thereof or embedded therein, to which the one or moremagnets 7392 can couple when the module 7390 couples to the bottom ofthe container 7300. Once the user is done using the module 7390 (e.g.,to heat a liquid in the container 7300), the user can decouple themodule 7390 from the container 7300 (e.g., to allow the container 7300to be washed).

Advantageously, the magnetic coupling allows a user to couple thecontainer 7300 to the module 7390 with one hand (e.g., while holding ababy or infant with their other arm), thereby greatly facilitating theheating of the contents of the container 7300. For example, a user cankeep one or more containers 7300 filled with a liquid (e.g., milk) in arefrigerator, travel cooler, etc. Once the baby or infant awakens atnight or is otherwise ready for a feeding, the user can take one of thecontainers 7300 out of the refrigerator with one hand (e.g., whileholding the baby or infant in their other arm), place it over the module7390 (which can be docked over a charging base 7400 at the time),whereby the magnets 7392 automatically couple the module 7390 to thecontainer 7300. The user can then lift the container 7300 with theattached module 7390 and give it to the baby or infant once ready (e.g.,walk back to place the baby or infant in bed and provide them with thecontainer 7300 with the heated liquid). In one embodiment, the module7390 can provide an indication (e.g., visual, vibration, auditory) thatthe liquid has been heated to the preselected or predeterminedtemperature (as discussed further below). For example, as shown in FIGS.75A-75B, the module 7390 can have a visual indication screen 7395 thatcan indicate to the user the status of the heating process. FIG. 75Ashows a “HEATING” notice, which identifies the user that the liquid inthe container 7300 is not yet at the desired drinking temperature.However, other suitable notices, such as NOT READY, etc. can be used, orthe screen can blink. FIG. 75B shows a “READY” notice, which identifiesto the user that the liquid in the container 7300 has been heated to thedesired temperature (or temperature range) and is ready for consumption.However, other suitable notices, such as SAFE or OKAY, etc. can be used,or the screen can remain lit (not blink). The visual indication screen7395 can be automatically activated when the module 7390 couples to thecontainer 7300. In one embodiment, the visual indication screen 7395 canbe a hidden till-lit white LED dot matrix display. The visual indicationscreen 7395 can also provide other information, such as operatinginformation (e.g., battery life, liquid level, heating or coolingoperation).

In one embodiment, the user can decouple the module 7390 from thecontainer 7300 before handing the container 7300 to the baby or infantfor consumption. In another embodiment, the module 7390 can remainattached to the container 7300 while the baby or infant consumes theliquid in the container 7300. As noted above, the container 7300 canadvantageously be coupled to the module 7390 with one hand by the user(e.g., while their other hand is occupied, such as holding the infant)by placing the container 7300 over the module 7390. In one embodiment,the module 7390 couples to the container 7300 solely via the magnets7392 as discussed above; the magnetic coupling force can be large enoughto inhibit the decoupling of the module 7390 from the container 7300 bythe baby or infant (e.g., while consuming the liquid in the container7300).

In another embodiment, the module 7390 couples to the container 7300 viaa combination of mechanisms disclosed herein. For example, the module7390 can couple to the container 7300 via magnets 7392, as discussedabove, and in addition the bottom of the container 7300 and top of themodule 7390 can have a pin-notch system (similar to the one describedabove for container 7200 in FIG. 72) or a ramp and notch mechanism thatprovides a twist-lock arrangement to the coupling to thereby provide aconnection between the container 7300 and module 7390 that is moredifficult to remove (e.g., more difficult for the baby or infant todecouple, such as while consuming the liquid in the container 7300). Forexample, where the container 7300 and module 7390 have a ramp and notchsystem in addition to magnets 7392, when the user places the container7300 over the module 7390 (which may be sitting on the charging base7400), the magnets 7392 on the module 7390 start to draw the module 7390toward the bottom surface 7336 of the container 7300. As the module 7390is drawn toward the bottom surface 7336, the ramps (on the module 7390or the container 7300) can engage the notches or recesses (on thecontainer 7300 or the module 7390) to provide for a locking connectionbetween the module 7390 and the container 7300. In one embodiment, theengagement of the ramps and notches or recesses can cause the module7390 to rotate relative to the container 7300 as the locking connectionis achieved.

In one embodiment, the container 7300 that is used with the removablemodule 7390 can be a conventional plastic or glass baby bottle. Inanother embodiment, the container 7300 can be a conventional sippy cupmade of plastic. In such embodiments, the container 7300 includes noelectronics therein; all the electronics and heating elements are housedin the removable module 7390.

Advantageously, because the module 7300 is removable, it can be usedwith a plurality of separate containers 7300. Thus, a user can use onemodule 7390 to heat a plurality of separate containers 7300 and need notpurchase a plurality of containers that each includes its separateelectronics and heating unit.

In one embodiment, actuation of the one or more heating elements 7340can begin automatically upon the coupling of the module 7390 to thecontainer 7300. For example, one or more sensors can sense when themodule 7390 couples to the container 7300 and communicate a signal tocontrol circuitry 7380 (see FIGS. 74A-74B) in the module 7390 to providepower to the one or more heating elements 7340 to generate heat. Saidheat can be communicated from the one or more heating elements 7340 tothe bottom surface 7336 of the container 7300 via conduction heattransfer, and the heat transferred through the bottom surface 7336 tothe contents of the container 7300. Conversely, actuation of the one ormore heating elements 7340 can cease automatically upon decoupling ofthe module 7390 from the container 7300 (e.g., based on sensedinformation from one or more sensors that the module 7390 is not coupledto the container 7300. Such one or more sensors can include a pressuresensor, a contact sensor, a capacitance sensor, an optical sensor, orany other suitable type of sensor for sensing the coupling or decouplingof the module 7390 with the container 7300.

The control circuitry 7380 (see FIGS. 74A-74B) can control the operationof the one or more heating elements 7340 to control the amount of energysupplied to the liquid in the chamber of the container 7300 to maintainor increase the temperature of the liquid. Optionally, the controlcircuitry 7380 can control delivery of power to the one or more heatingelements 7340 based at least in part on information from one or moresensors that sense a parameter of quality of the liquid (e.g.,temperature, volume, acidity, pH) where said one or more sensors can beon a surface of one or both of the module 7390 and container 7300. Forexample, such sensors can be on the bottom surface 7336 and/or the topsurface of the module 7390.

The control circuitry 7380 can include a memory that stores or receivesone or more algorithms (e.g., wirelessly via a tablet or smartphone app,via a wired connection or during manufacturing of the module 7390 at thefactory) that can be executed by the control circuitry 7380 to controlthe operation of the one or more heating elements 7340 and/or todetermine a parameter of the liquid based on sensed information. In oneembodiment, such algorithms can be used to determine one or moreparameters of the liquid in the container 7300 based on sensedinformation for another parameter of the liquid. In one embodiment, thecontainer 7300 can include one or more sensors in communication withinner liquid holding chamber 7315 (e.g., in contact with the sidewall7330 or bottom wall 7336, whose sensed information can provide anindication of a temperature of the liquid in the container 7300, and analgorithm can calculate a volume of the liquid in the chamber based onthe sensed information of the same sensor. For example, by sensing howlong it takes for the liquid to change temperature upon actuation of theone or more heating elements 7340, the algorithm can calculate theapproximate volume of liquid in the chamber (e.g., if the container 7300is full of liquid, it may take X seconds for the sensed temperature tochange, but if the container 7300 is half-full of liquid, it may take Yseconds for the sensed temperature to change). Though such algorithmsare described in connection with the container 7300, one of skill in theart will recognize that such algorithms can be implemented or use by thecontrol circuitry of the containers 5000-7200, 7400-7700, and othercontainers disclosed herein.

The sensed temperature can be communicated to the control circuitry7380, which can then adjust the amount of power supplied to the one ormore heating elements 7340 based on the sensed temperature (e.g., thecontrol circuitry can reduce power to the one or more heating elements7340 as the desired temperature for the liquid is approached).Additionally, the control circuitry 7380 can control the operation ofthe one or more heating elements 7340 based on preselected temperature(e.g., user selected temperature, such as one provided by the userdirectly via a user interface (e.g., similar to movable sidewall 5031 inFIG. 50) on the module 7390, or wirelessly via a tablet or smartphoneapp), or based on a predetermined temperature set point (e.g.,temperature set point saved into a memory of the control circuitry 7380,either by a user, such as via a tablet or smartphone app, or at thefactory during manufacture). The control circuitry 7380 canadvantageously control the amount of power supplied to the one or moreheating elements 7340 to prevent the temperature of the liquid fromincreasing above the predetermined or preselected temperature. Forexample, in one embodiment, the control circuitry 7380 can include atemperature sensitive switch, which can open if the sensed temperatureof the liquid in the container 7300 increases above a temperature setpoint, thereby cutting off power supply to the one or more heatingelements 7340.

With continued reference to FIG. 73, a charging assembly 7400 can beprovided for charging the module 7390. The charging assembly 7400 canhave a charging plate 7410 with one or more recesses 7420 into which abottom portion of the module 7390 can be placed so that a correspondingelectrical contact on a charging base 7396 of the module 7390 contactsan electrical contact 7430 of the charging plate 7410. In oneembodiment, the electrical contact 7430 can be circular, though othershapes are possible. In one embodiment, the electrical contact 7430 isgold plated. The illustrated embodiment shows the charging plate 7410with two recesses 7420 and two electrical contacts 7430 to charge twoseparate modules 7390 at the same time. However, in other embodiments,the charging plate 7410 can have a single recess 7420 and singleelectrical contact 7430. The charging plate 7410 can connect via anelectrical cord 7440 to an electrical connector 7450. In the illustratedembodiment, the electrical connector 7450 is a wall connector forconnecting to AC power. In other embodiments, the electrical connector7450 can be a connector for connecting to DC power, such as to a carcharger. In still another embodiment, the electrical connector 7450 canbe a USB connector that allows the electrical cord to be connected to acomputer, portable battery, or to a separate wall connector forconnecting to a wall outlet.

FIGS. 74A-74B show a cross-sectional view and sectional view of portionsof the container 7300. As discussed above, the bottom wall 7336 can becoupled or otherwise embedded in a bottom of the container 7300. In theillustrated embodiment, the bottom wall 7336 is made of metal and moldedinto a bottom surface of the container 7300 so that the bottom wall 7336is circumscribed by, or held in place by, a bottom rim 7331. As shown inFIG. 74A-74B, the bottom wall 7336 extends below a bottom edge of theouter sidewall 7330.

With continued reference to FIGS. 74A-74B, the one or more magnets 7392on the module 7390 can be a donut shaped or annular in shape. In theillustrated embodiment, the one or more heating elements 7340 isdisposed at the center of the module 7390 and radially spaced apart fromthe magnet 7392. One or more temperature sensors 7393 can optionally belocated on a perimeter of the module 7390 and spaced radially apart fromthe one or more heating elements 7340 to facilitate sensing oftemperature of the liquid in the container 7300 while inhibiting thesensing of the temperature of the one or more heating elements 7340.

As shown in FIG. 74A-B, the charging base 7396 of the module 7390 canhave an electrical contact 7398 that corresponds in shape with theelectrical contact 7430 on the charging plate 7410. In some embodiments,the charging base 7396 can optionally include one or more weight sensorsthat communicate with the control circuitry 7380 and, using one or morealgorithms stored in a memory of the control circuitry 7380, can measurethe level or volume of liquid in the container 7300, and keep track ofconsumption of liquid (e.g., by correlating sensed weight with liquidvolume using said algorithms).

As shown in FIGS. 76A-76C, the charging base 7396 of the module 7390 canhave an electrical contact 7398 that is annular or donut shaped andsurrounds a base surface 7398 b. In the illustrated embodiment, themodule 7390 can be decoupled from the container 7300 by rotating R themodule 7390 relative to the container 7300. Requiring such rotation Rfor decoupling of the module 7390 from the container 7300 can providefurther child proofing of the system to prevent the module 7390 frominadvertently decoupling from the container 75300 during use by theinfant or baby.

Though the features disclosed, including the charging assembly 7400,above may be described in connection with the container 7300, one ofskill in the art will recognize that any of the features described inthis embodiment can also apply to any of the portable liquid containersdisclosed herein (e.g., 5000-7200, 7400-7700), drinkware, dishware orserverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquidcontainer), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300,1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and thescope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

FIGS. 77A-77C illustrates an embodiment of a drinkware container 7500(hereinafter “container 7500”). In the illustrated embodiment, thedrinkware container 7500 is in the form of a baby or infant bottle. Someof the features of the container 7500 are similar to features in thecontainer 7300 in FIG. 73. Thus, references numerals used to designatethe various components of the container 7500 are identical to those usedfor identifying the corresponding components of the container 7300 inFIG. 73, except that the reference numerals of the container 7500 beginwith “75” instead of “73”. Therefore, the structure and description forthe various components of the container 7300 in FIG. 73 is understood toapply to the corresponding components of the container 7500 in FIG.77A-77C, except as described below.

The illustrated embodiment differs from the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 73 only in that the module 7590 includes one or more buttons 7594that a user can press to release the coupling between the module 7590and the container 7500. For example, pressing the buttons 7594 canoptionally actuate the control circuitry in the module 7590 to changethe polarity of the one or more magnets so that they provide a repellingforce, instead or an attracting force, relative to the container 7500.In another embodiment, pushing the buttons 7594 mechanically decouplesthe magnets on the module 7590 from the bottom wall of the container7500. The use of such buttons 7594 can provide further child proofing ofthe system to prevent the module 7590 from inadvertently decoupling fromthe container 7500 during use by the infant or baby.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 7500, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-7400,7600-7700), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

FIGS. 78A-78B illustrate an embodiment of a drinkware container 7600(hereinafter “container 7600”). In the illustrated embodiment, thedrinkware container 7600 is in the form of a baby or infant bottle. Someof the features of the container 7600 are similar to features in thecontainer 7300 in FIG. 73. Thus, references numerals used to designatethe various components of the container 7600 are identical to those usedfor identifying the corresponding components of the container 7300 inFIG. 73, except that the reference numerals of the container 7600 beginwith “76” instead of “73”. Therefore, the structure and description forthe various components of the container 7300 in FIG. 73 is understood toapply to the corresponding components of the container 7600 in FIG.76A-76B, except as described below.

The illustrated embodiment differs from the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 73 in that the module 7690 has a twist lock mechanism includingprotrusions or tabs 7692 that can engage corresponding slots or grooveson the container 7600. Additionally, the module 7690 has electricalcontacts 7694, as shown on FIG. 78B, configured to connect tocorresponding contacts on the container 7600 to connect with sensorstrip 7693 that extends along at least a portion of a height of thecontainer 7600 to sense one or more parameters (e.g., liquid level,temperature, etc.) of the liquid in the container 7600. Said sensedparameter information is communicated to the control circuitry 7680 viathe electrical connection 7694. In addition, the module 7690 includeselectrical contacts 7698 on a bottom surface of the module 7690 forcontacting a corresponding electrical contact on a charging plate, suchas the charging plate 7410 discussed above.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 7600, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-7500, 7700),drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300,etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

FIGS. 79A-79B illustrate an embodiment of a drinkware container 7700(hereinafter “container 7700”). In the illustrated embodiment, thedrinkware container 7700 is in the form of a baby or infant bottle.However, the container 7700 can have other forms, e.g. a sippy cup.

In the illustrated embodiment, the container 7700 has an outer wall 7730and bottom wall 7736 made of plastic, glass or other conventionalmaterial used for, e.g., baby bottles, and define a chamber 7715therebetween for holding a liquid (e.g., milk). A cap 7720 can couple tothe top of the container 7700, and a connector 7797 can be held in placeon top of the container 7700 by the cap 7720. In the illustratedembodiment, the connector 7797 can be a nipple (e.g., made of rubber,silicone, or other common material used in baby bottle nipples). Inanother embodiment, the connector 7797 can be similar to a drinkingspout in a sippy cup.

A module 7790 can be inserted into the container 7700 and held in placeby the cap 7720. The module 7790 can have a sensor strip 7793 thatextends along at least a portion of the module 7790, and at least oneheating element 7740 that can be disposed within the chamber 7715 andcan heat the liquid in the chamber 7715. The at least one heatingelement 7740 can be activated as soon as it's inserted into the chamber7715 (e.g., by sensing contact with a liquid. Alternatively, the heatingelement 7740 can be activated based on user input (e.g., via aninterface of the module 7790 or wirelessly). Though the discussion inthis paragraph refers to one or more heating elements 7740, one of skillin the art will recognize that this can also apply to one or morecooling elements or one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g.,thermoelectric elements), and that this disclosure is meant to apply toall these options for the container 7700.

The module 7790 can further have one or more power storage elements 7760and a control circuitry 7780. A rim of the module 7790 can rest on therim (not shown) of the container 7700 when in use. The rim can includecharging contacts 7798 that can contact corresponding electricalcontacts on a charging assembly (not shown) when the power storageelements 7760 are charged. One or more passages between the rim of themodule 7790 and the heating element 7740 allow for flow of liquid topass along flow path F and into the connector 7797 for consumption.Therefore, the module 7790 can be left in place in the container 7700while the infant or baby consumes the contents of the container 7700.Alternatively, the module 7790 can be removed from within the chamber7715 and the cap 7720 and connector 7797 reattached to the container7700 before the liquid is consumed by the infant or baby.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 7700, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of theportable liquid containers disclosed herein (e.g., 5000-7600),drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300,etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

FIG. 44 above shows a block diagram of a communication system for any ofthe drinkware containers described herein. In the illustratedembodiment, the electronic module EM (such as the electronic moduledisclosed herein for the drinkware containers) can receive sensedinformation from one or more sensors S1-Sn (e.g., liquid level sensors,liquid volume sensors, temperature sensors, battery charge sensors,capacitance sensors, tilt sensors or gyroscopes). The electronic moduleEM can also receive information from and transmit information (e.g.,instructions) to one or more heating elements HC (e.g., to operate eachof the heating elements in a heating mode, turn off, turn on, vary poweroutput of, etc.) and optionally to one or more power storage devices PS(e.g., batteries, such as to charge the batteries or manage the powerprovided by the batteries to the one or more heating or coolingelements). The electronic module EM can also communicate with a wirelesspower transmitter WPT (e.g., an inductive power transmitter) on thedrinkware container. The electronic module EM can also communicate with(e.g., transmit information to and receive information, such as userinstructions from, a user interface UI1 on the unit (e.g., on the bodyof the drinkware container). The electronic module EM can alsocommunicate with an electronic device ED (e.g., a mobile electronicdevice such as a mobile phone, PDA, tablet computer, laptop computer,electronic watch; or a desktop computer) via the cloud CL or via awireless communication system such as Bluetooth BT. The electronicdevice ED can have a user interface U12, that can display informationassociated with the operation of the drinkware container (as disclosedherein), and that can receive information (e.g., instructions) from auser and communicate said information to the drinkware container (asdisclosed herein).

The term “electronic module” is meant to refer to electronics generally.Furthermore, the term “electronic module” should not be interpreted torequire that the electronics be all in one physical location orconnected to one single printed circuit board (PCB). One of skill in theart will recognize that the electronic module or electronics disclosedherein can be in one or more (e.g., plurality) of separate parts(coupled to one or a plurality of PCBs) and/or located in differentphysical locations of the body of the drinkware container, as disclosedherein. That is, the electronic module or electronics can have differentform factors.

Food Container

FIGS. 80-81 show one embodiment of a food container 7800 (e.g., a lunchbox, a soup container). The container 7800 can have a cover or lid 7810that can optionally be insulated and can cover a body 7820. The body7820 can define a chamber or cavity 7830 that can hold one or morefoodstuffs (e.g., directly or in separate packages, such as Tupperware®,sandwich bags, etc.). Though the illustrated embodiment shows thecontainer 7800 having one chamber 7830, in other embodiments, thecontainer 7800 can have multiple chambers. The chamber 7830 can bedefined between sidewalls 7822 and a base 7824. The sidewalls 7822 canoptionally be insulated (e.g., vacuum insulated) to keep the foodstuffwarm or cold for a longer period of time. In one embodiment, thecontainer 7800 is generally square or rectangular in shape. In anotherembodiment, the container 7800 is generally cylindrical in shape. Asused herein, the term “food”, “foodstuff” or “foodstuffs” includes anysubstance, whether solid or liquid, that can be eaten or drunk by anindividual (e.g., water, juice, milk, soup, sandwiches, meats,vegetables, cheeses, fruits, nuts), for example as part of a meal. Asused herein “beverage” in understood to mean any consumable liquid(e.g., water, coffee, tea, soup, hot chocolate, etc.). Also, thedrinkware or beverage containers disclosed herein are understood to alsoreceive solid or semi-solid, or blended food.

The body 7820 can have a bottom chamber or cavity 7835 defined below thebase 7824. The bottom chamber 7835 can house an temperature controlsystem 7840 that can include one or more heating or cooling elements7846 (e.g., one or more of a heating elements such as resistive heaters,a cooling elements such as a phase change material or heat sink,heating/cooling elements such as thermoelectric heaters or Peltierelements, or any combination thereof) in thermal communication with oneor both of the base 7824 and sidewalls 7822. The body 7820 canoptionally have one or more power storage elements 7844 electricallyconnected to the one or more heating or cooling elements 7846, andoptionally have control circuitry 7850. In one embodiment, the bottomchamber 7835 can also include an insulative layer 7842 between the oneor more heating or cooling elements 7846 and the rest of the electronics(e.g. power storage elements 7844 and control circuitry 7850) tothermally isolate the one or more heating or cooling elements 7846 fromthe electronics.

The temperature control system 7840 in one embodiment is an activetemperature control system that can advantageously operate during atleast a period of time (e.g., a portion of the period of time) duringwhich the food container 7800 is used. Accordingly, the term “active”,as used herein, is not limited to continuous operation of thetemperature control system 7840. As used herein, heat transferencompasses a heating, as well as a cooling, process. Therefore, a “heattransfer element” as used herein is an element that can effect a heatingor a cooling process.

The control circuitry 7850 can optionally include one or more printedcircuit boards (PCBs) 7852, a timer 7854, and a wireless communicationmodule 7856 (e.g., Bluetooth). In one embodiment, the one or more powerstorage elements 7844 can be rechargeable. In one embodiment, the body7820 can have a removable bottom cover (not shown) that can be removedto access the electronics in the bottom chamber 7835, such as to replacethe one or more power storage elements 7844. In another embodiment, thebottom chamber 7835 can be sealed and the one or more power storageelements 7844 can be charged, for example, via induction, using acharging base on which the food container 7800 can be placed.

The control circuitry 7850 can advantageously communicate (e.g., usingBluetooth) with a remote electronic device (e.g., smart phone, smartwatch, tablet computer, laptop computer) via which the user can controlthe operation of the food container 7800. For example, the user cancontrol the start time and stop time of the heating process (or coolingprocess) for the foodstuff in the container 7800 via the remoteelectronic device. In another embodiment, the timer 7854 can be preset(e.g., via a user interface on the container 7800 or via the remoteelectronic device) to begin the heating process (or cooling process) ata certain time. For example, parents can preset the timer 7854 tocoincide with their children's school lunch period. In one embodiment,the control circuitry 7850 can have multiple timers, for example used tocontrol operation of the temperature control system 7840 during multiplemeal breaks (e.g., a snack break at 10 AM, and a lunch break at 12 PM).

The control circuitry 7850 can include a temperature limiting switchthat can limit the temperature to which the foodstuff is heated orcooled, for example, to prevent the overheating of the one or moreheating or cooling elements 7846 or the overheating of the foodstuff.The container 7800 can have one or more temperature sensors that cansense a temperature in the chamber 7830 an communicate the sensedtemperature to the control circuitry 7850, which can adjust power to theone or more heating or cooling elements 7846 based at least in part onthe sensed temperature information. In one embodiment, the user caninput one or more preselected temperatures or temperature ranges (e.g.,warm, hot) via the user interface on the container 7800 or via theremote electronic device, and the control circuitry can operate the oneor more heating or cooling elements 7846 based on the preselectedtemperature and the sensed temperature information from the temperaturesensor(s) to heat (or cool) the foodstuff to approximately thepreselected temperature. For example, one preselected temperature can befor a first meal break (e.g., a snack period) and the second preselectedtemperature can be for a second meal break (e.g., a lunch period).

In one embodiment, the remote electronic device (e.g., smart phone,tablet computer, laptop computer) can utilize and app through which theremote electronic device can control the operation of the temperaturecontrol system 7840, such as via the control circuitry 7850. Forexample, a parent can enter a time of day when the user (e.g., child)has a meal break (e.g., at school). The control circuitry 7850 canoperate the temperature control system 7840 to heat (or cool) thefoodstuff in the container 7800 to the preselected temperature by thetime of the meal break. In one embodiment, the control circuitry 7850can control the temperature control system 7850 to begin heating (orcooling) the foodstuff a predetermined period (e.g., 20 minutes, 30minutes, 40 minutes) before the time of the meal break (e.g., using atimer) so that the foodstuff is at the desired temperature once the mealbreak arrives. In another embodiment, the container 7800 can include oneor more sensors that sense a level in the chamber 7830 (e.g., where thefoodstuff is soup), and the control circuitry 7850 calculates a heatingperiod based at least in part on a sensed temperature of the foodstuffand a sensed level in the chamber 7830 (or calculated volume in thechamber 7830 based on the sensed level) to determine how long it willtake to heat (or cool) the foodstuff to the desired temperature from thesensed temperature (e.g., predetermined period), and controls theoperation of the temperature control system 7840 (e.g., controls thestart time for operation of the one or more heating or cooling elements7846) based on the predetermined period, so that the foodstuff is at thepreselected temperature by the time the meal break arrives. Accordingly,the calculated predetermined period would be longer if the initial stateof the foodstuff was at a refrigerated temperature, versus if theinitial state of the foodstuff was at room temperature.

In one embodiment, the chamber 7830 can have a plurality of separatecompartments, some of which can house foodstuff meant to be cooled andother compartments that can house foodstuff meant to be heated. The oneor more heating or cooling elements 7846 can include a plurality ofheating or cooling elements 7846 where the heating or cooling elements7846 under the cooling compartments can advantageously be operated (bythe control circuitry 7850) to cool the compartment and the heating orcooling elements 7846 under the heating compartments can advantageouslybe operated (by the control circuitry) to heat the compartments tothereby cool and heat the foodstuff in those compartments, respectively.In this manner, the user and enjoy their food at the desired temperatureor temperature range (e.g., cold, cool, warm, hot).

In one embodiment, an outer surface 7821 of the body 7820 and/or anouter surface 7811 of the cover 7810 can have an electronic ink outershell to display custom logos or skins to personalize the food container7800. In one embodiment, the electronic ink shells can be electricallyconnected to one or more of the control circuitry 7850 and one or morepower storage elements 7844 and wireless communication module 7856. Theuser can change the skin or logo on the electronic ink shells via theremote electronic device (which can be wirelessly paired with the foodcontainer 7800 via the wireless communication module 7856). In oneembodiment, the user can purchase skins via an app through their remoteelectronic device, and select the desired skin for display on theelectronic ink shell of the food container 7800.

In another embodiment, the container 7800 can exclude the controlcircuitry 7850 and power storage elements 7840, and the temperaturecontrol system 7840 can include a passive heating or cooling element7846 (e.g., a phase change material) that can heat or cool thefoodstuff.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe container 7800, one of skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe features described in this embodiment can also apply to any of thecontainers disclosed herein (e.g., 400, 600, 1500, 1600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2800, 5000-7600), drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl,serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including theplate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, carafe, bread basket2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and theinvention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

Sensors

With respect to any of the containers disclosed above, one or moresensors S1-Sn can be provided. In some embodiments, at least one sensorS2 of the one or more sensors 1-Sn can sense a liquid level (orinformation indicative of a liquid level) in a chamber (e.g., such aschamber 15 in FIG. 1, etc.) of the container.

In one embodiment, the sensor S2 can be a load cell that can sense aweight of the container (e.g., container 5000-7800). The electronicmodule EM of the container can receive the sensed weight information andcompare it against a reference weight data (e.g., previously sensed whenthe container was empty and/or that is stored in a memory of theelectronic module EM), and calculate a volume or level of the liquid inthe container (e.g., using an algorithm to convert the sensed weightinformation to liquid volume or level measurement).

In another embodiment, the sensor S2 can be a pressure sensor on abottom of the chamber (e.g., chamber 5015, 5115, etc.) of the container(e.g., container 5000-7800) and can sense a hydrostatic pressure of theliquid in the chamber. The electronic module EM can calculate a liquidvolume or level based at least in part on the sensed pressureinformation from the sensor S2.

In another embodiment, the sensor S2 can be a capacitance sensor (e.g.,capacitance sensing strip) that extends along at least a portion of thelength of an inner sidewall (e.g., inner sidewall 5010, 5110, etc.) thatdefines the chamber (e.g., chamber 5015, 5115, etc.) of the container(e.g., container 5000-7800). The sensor S2 can sense a capacitance of aliquid in the container relative to a capacitance of air above theliquid level and communicate the sensed information to the electronicmodule EM, which can provide a measurement of liquid volume or liquidlevel in the container based on the sensed information. In anotherembodiment, the sensor S2 can sense a conductivity of the liquid or airproximate the sensor and the electronic module EM can provide ameasurement of liquid level or volume based at least in part on thesensed information.

In another embodiment, the sensor S2 can be an ultrasonic sensor on aninner sidewall (e.g., inner sidewall 5010, 5110, etc.) that defines thechamber (e.g., chamber 5015, 5115, etc.) of the container (e.g.,container 5000-7800). The sensor S2 can use a pulse-echo or wallresonance (e.g. resonance of inner sidewall 5010, 5110, etc.) to senseinformation indicative of a liquid level in the container. For example,the sensor S2 can sense a time it takes for pulse emitted by the sensorS2 into the chamber of the container to return to the sensor (e.g., onceit bounces from the liquid level location). The sensor S2 can transmitthe sensed information to the electronic module EM, which can provide ameasurement of liquid volume or liquid level in the container based onthe sensed information.

In another embodiment, the sensor S2 can be an accelerometer or tiltsensor. The sensor S2 can sense an orientation (or change inorientation) of the container (e.g., container 5000-7800) andcommunicate the sensed orientation information to the electronic moduleEM. The electronic module EM can estimate a liquid level in thecontainer based on the sensed orientation information (e.g., using analgorithm that correlates a tilt angle to a liquid level). For example,if the sensor S2 senses an orientation of less than a first threshold(e.g., less than 30 degrees from an upright position) when a user hasthe container against their lips (e.g., sensed via a sensor on thecontainer lip or lid, such as a contact sensor, temperature sensor,etc.) then the electronic module estimates the liquid level to be aboutfull, and if the sensor S2 senses an orientation greater than a secondthreshold (e.g., greater than 90 degrees from an upright position) whena user has the container against their lips (e.g., sensed via a sensoron the container lip or lid, such as a contact sensor, temperaturesensor, etc.) then the electronic module estimates the liquid level tobe about empty, and the electronic module EM can use an algorithm tointerpolate between the two thresholds to infer intermediate liquidlevels of the container (e.g., half full, quarter full, etc.).

In another embodiment, the sensor S2 can be a light sensor that measureslight attenuation through the liquid and provides the sensed informationto the electronic module EM, which can provide a measurement of liquidvolume or liquid level in the container based on the sensed information(e.g., using an algorithm to correlate light attenuation with liquidvolume or level).

In another embodiment, the sensor S2 can be a float that floats on theliquid level in the chamber (e.g., chamber 5015, 5115, etc.) of thecontainer (e.g., container 5000-7800) and communicates the sensedposition information to the electronic module EM, which can provide ameasurement of liquid volume or liquid level in the container based onthe sensed information.

In another embodiment, liquid level in the container (e.g., container5000-7800) is measured based on sensed temperature (or informationindicative of temperature) from one or more (e.g., a plurality of)temperature sensors S3 (e.g., as discussed above in connection with theoperation of the container 5000). In one embodiment, the one or moresensors S3 can sense how long it takes the temperature to increase areference number of degrees (e.g., 1 degree F. or 1 degree C.) when thechamber of the container is full of liquid to provide a first referencetime, and the first reference time can be stored in a memory (e.g., amemory of the electronic module EM). Optionally, additional referencetimes can be provided by the one or more sensors S3 when the chamber ofthe container has other volumes of liquid therein (e.g., half full, ¾full) and the reference times stored in said memory. During operation ofthe container, the one or more temperature sensors S3 can measure howlong it takes for the temperature in the chamber to change by saidreference number of degrees and communicate the sensed time informationto the electronic module EM, which can provide a measurement of liquidvolume or liquid level in the container based on the sensed timeinformation, for example, based on an algorithm correlating time versusliquid volume or level. In one embodiment, the sensed time informationis compared against one or more of the reference times and the liquidlevel or volume interpolated between the level or volume valuescorresponding to the reference times. Optionally, the algorithm cancalculate the liquid volume or level based at least in part on sensedambient temperature (e.g., from a sensor S4), to account for variationsin how long it takes the temperature to increases by the referencenumber of degrees depending on ambient temperature (e.g., at highaltitude, low altitude, in winter, in summer, etc.). Use of the one ormore temperature sensor S3 therefore advantageously allows measurementof temperature and liquid level in the container with one sensor insteadof requiring a separate sensor to measure liquid level, which providesfor a simpler and less costly system.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms. For example, though the features disclosed herein are in describefor drinkware containers, the features are applicable to containers thatare not drinkware containers (e.g., bowls, serverware, food storagecontainers) and the invention is understood to extend to such othercontainers. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes inthe systems and methods described herein may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and theirequivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as wouldfall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, thescope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to theappended claims.

Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunctionwith a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood tobe applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described inthis section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatibletherewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or allof the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined inany combination, except combinations where at least some of suchfeatures and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is notrestricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protectionextends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the featuresdisclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure inthe context of separate implementations can also be implemented incombination in a single implementation. Conversely, various featuresthat are described in the context of a single implementation can also beimplemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimedcombination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and thecombination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or describedin the specification in a particular order, such operations need not beperformed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or thatall operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Otheroperations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in theexample methods and processes. For example, one or more additionaloperations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or betweenany of the described operations. Further, the operations may berearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken inthe processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shownin the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the stepsdescribed above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, thefeatures and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above maybe combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all ofwhich fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, theseparation of various system components in the implementations describedabove should not be understood as requiring such separation in allimplementations, and it should be understood that the describedcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a singleproduct or packaged into multiple products.

For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novelfeatures are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages maybe achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, forexample, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure maybe embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or agroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generallyintended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,”“about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent avalue, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, orcharacteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves adesired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”,“generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is withinless than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, withinless than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. Asanother example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel”and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristicthat departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees,10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by thespecific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section orelsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims aspresented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or aspresented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpretedbroadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited tothe examples described in the present specification or during theprosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed asnon-exclusive.

Though the features and ideas disclosed above may be related to activelyheating or cooling food or beverage, the embodiments above may also beused to heat or cool air spaces, such as refrigeration devices, coldboxes, coolers, portable coolers, or portable refrigerators, or hotboxes, or warmer drawers, or heat chambers, or any other device thatwould benefit from the heating or cooling of the air within a definedcavity or chamber.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe plate 100, 1100, mug 400, and travel mug 600, one of skill in theart will recognize that this embodiment can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beermug 1600, baby bottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300,etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Though the embodiments above are described in connection with dishwareand drinkware, such as mugs, plates and travel mugs, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the above described features andfunctions can also be incorporated into dinnerware, serverware (e.g.,serving platters, bowls, tureens, Chafing Dishes, coffee carafes, breadbaskets, bread warmers, tortilla warmers, trays, hot plates) andbakeware (e.g., casserole dishes) or bottles (e.g. baby bottles orportable drinking bottles) or other liquid or food containers.Additionally, the drinkware, dishware, serverware, etc. can be made of aceramic material or other suitable materials (e.g., plastic or glass).

Various embodiments reference an electronic module, such as theelectronic module 90, 490, 690. The term “electronic module” is meant torefer to electronics generally. Furthermore, the term “electronicmodule” should not be interpreted to require that the electronics be allin one physical location or connected to one single printed circuitboard (PCB). One of skill in the art will recognize that the electronicmodule or electronics disclosed herein can be in one or more (e.g.,plurality) of separate parts (coupled to one or a plurality of PCBs)and/or located in different physical locations of the body of the plate,serving dish, hot/cool plate, mug, travel mug, cup, liquid container orbaby bottle, as disclosed herein. That is, the electronic module orelectronics can have different form factors.

Of course, the foregoing description is that of certain features,aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which variouschanges and modifications can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Moreover, the heated or cooleddishware and drinkware need not feature all of the objects, advantages,features and aspects discussed above. Thus, for example, those of skillin the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carriedout in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group ofadvantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectsor advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while anumber of variations of the invention have been shown and described indetail, other modifications and methods of use, which are within thescope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill inthe art based upon this disclosure. For example, one of skill in the artwill recognize that the passive or active cooling elements describedabove for FIG. 9A can be incorporated into any of the other embodimentsdisclosed for the drinkware or dishware (e.g., plate 100, mug 400,travel mug 600). Additionally, one of skill in the art will recognizethat a vacuum chamber can also be incorporated into all embodimentsdescribed above, such as the mug 400, the plate 100′, bowl or servingdish and the travel mug 600′, in a manner similar to that describedabove in connection with the plate 100′″, bowl or serving dish or travelmug 600′″, cup, water bottle or liquid container. It is contemplatedthat various combinations or subcombinations of these specific featuresand aspects of embodiments may be made and still fall within the scopeof the invention. In addition, though the embodiments disclosed hereinmay be described in connection with a heated or cooled plate, mug, ortravel mug, one of skill in the art will recognize that the featuresalso apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware(e.g., platter), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300,1400, mug 400, travel mug 600, hot/cooled plate 1200, water bottle andbaby bottle 1500 and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware. Accordingly, it should be understood that various featuresand aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with orsubstituted for one another in order to form varying modes of thediscussed heated or cooled dishware, drinkware and/or serverware.

1. (canceled)
 2. A heated or cooled food container, comprising: a lidmovable between an open and a closed position; an insulated body havinga sidewall that defines a perimeter of the body and a base, the sidewalland base defining a chamber configured to be sealed by the lid when inthe closed position; and a temperature control system with one or moreheating or cooling elements configured to heat or cool at least aportion of the chamber.
 3. The food container of claim 2, wherein atleast one of the one or more heating or cooling elements is a phasechange material.
 4. The food container of claim 2, wherein thetemperature control system is an active temperature control system andthe one or more heating or cooling elements are in thermal communicationwith one or both of the sidewall and the base and configured to heat orcool one or both of the sidewall and the base, the food containerfurther comprising: one or more power storage elements configured toprovide power to the one or more heating or cooling elements; controlcircuitry configured to control the operation of the one or more heatingor cooling elements; and a wireless communication module configured tocommunicate with a remote electronic device and to one or both oftransmit information to the remote electronic device and to receiveinformation from the remote electronic device.
 5. The container of claim4, further comprising a timer in communication with the controlcircuitry to initiate a heating or cooling operation of the activetemperature control system at a preselected time.
 6. The container ofclaim 5, wherein said preselected time is set by the user via a userinterface on one or both of the container and the remote electronicdevice.
 7. The container of claim 4, wherein said informationcommunicated from the remote electronic device comprises a temperaturesetpoint or temperature range for operation of the one or more heatingor cooling elements, the control circuitry configured to operate the oneor more heating or cooling elements based at least in part on saidtemperature setpoint or temperature range.
 8. The container of claim 4,further comprising one or more sensors configured to sense a parameterin the chamber and to communicate the sensed information to the controlcircuitry, the control circuitry configured to operate the one or moreheating or cooling elements based at least in part on said sensedinformation.
 9. The container of claim 8, wherein the one or moresensors includes one or both of a temperature sensor and a sensor thatsenses a parameter indicative of an amount of food in the chamber. 10.The container of claim 9, wherein the control circuitry calculates avolume of food in the chamber based at least in part on a sensed levelof food in the chamber, the control circuitry configured to calculate apredetermined time period based at least in part on the calculatedvolume and sensed temperature of the food, and to control the operationof the temperature control system to start operation of the one or moreheating or cooling elements at the predetermined time period prior to ameal time communicated to the control circuitry from the remoteelectronic device.
 11. The container of claim 2, wherein the containeris a soup container.
 12. A heated or cooled food container, comprising:a lid movable between an open and a closed position; an insulated bodyhaving a sidewall that defines a perimeter of the body and a base, thesidewall and base defining a chamber configured to be sealed by the lidwhen in the closed position; and an active temperature control system,comprising one or more heating or cooling elements in thermalcommunication with one or both of the sidewall and the base andconfigured to heat or cool one or both of the sidewall and the base; oneor more power storage elements configured to provide power to the one ormore heating or cooling elements; control circuitry configured tocontrol the operation of the one or more heating or cooling elements;and a wireless communication module configured to communicate with aremote electronic device to one or both of transmit information to theremote electronic device and receive information from the remoteelectronic device.
 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the containeris a soup container.
 14. The container of claim 12, further comprisingan insulative layer between the one or more heating or cooling elementsand the one or more power storage elements and control circuitry tothermally isolate the one or more heating or cooling elements from theelectronics.
 15. The container of claim 12, wherein the chamber caninclude a plurality of separate compartments, where at least one of thecompartments is configured to be cooled and at least one of thecompartments is configured to be heated.
 16. The container of claim 15,wherein the one or more heating or cooling elements comprises at leastone heating element configured to heat said at least one of thecompartments and comprises at least one cooling element configured tocool said at least one of the compartments.
 17. The container of claim12, further comprising a timer operable to initiate a heating or coolingoperation of the active temperature control system at a preselectedtime.
 18. The container of claim 17, wherein said preselected time isset by the user via one or both of a user interface on the container andthe remote electronic device.
 19. The container of claim 12, wherein insaid information communicated from the remote electronic devicecomprises a temperature setpoint or range for operation of the one ormore heating or cooling elements, the control circuitry configured tooperate the one or more heating or cooling elements based at least inpart on said temperature setpoint or range.
 20. The container of claim12, further comprising one or more temperature sensors configured tosense a temperature in the chamber and to communicate the sensedtemperature information to the control circuitry, the control circuitryconfigured to operate the one or more hearing or cooling elements basedat least in part on said sensed temperature.